Method and apparatus for 5G positioning accuracy improvement in presence of phase noise

ABSTRACT

A mobile device and base station are enabled to support improved positioning accuracy in the presence of phase noise in high frequency radio network, such as in 5G New Radio network operating in mmWave. Phase Tracking Reference Signal (PTRS) may be transmitted with Positioning Reference Signals (PRS) and used for positioning and/or used to correct the phase offset between symbols in the PRS. A request may be made to transmit PTRS alone or with the PRS, or that the PRS is transmitted with a specific PRS frame structure, e.g., with a specific comb value, that minimizes the impact of phase noise. The PTRS or a phase ramp of the staggered symbols in the PRS may be used to estimate and correct the phase offset. Less than all of the symbols transmitted in the PRS may be used to generate positioning measurements to minimize the impact of phase noise.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY UNDER 35 U.S.C. § 119

This application claims under 35 USC § 119 the benefit of and priorityto India Provisional Application No. 201921040916, filed Oct. 10, 2019,and entitled “METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR 5G POSITIONING ACCURACYIMPROVEMENT IN PRESENCE OF PHASE NOISE,” which is assigned to theassignee hereof and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND Field

The subject matter disclosed herein relates to wireless communicationssystems, and more particularly to methods and apparatuses for positionlocation of a mobile device.

Relevant Background

It is often desirable to know the location of a mobile device such as acellular phone, or other wireless communication device. For example, alocation services (LCS) client may desire to know the location of amobile device in the case of an emergency services call or to providesome service to the user of the mobile device such as navigationassistance, direction finding, or asset tracking. The terms “location”,“location estimate”, “position”, “position estimate” and “position fix”are synonymous and are used interchangeably herein.

SUMMARY

A mobile device and base station are enabled to support improvedpositioning accuracy in the presence of phase noise in high frequencyradio network, such as in 5G New Radio network operating in mmWave.Phase Tracking Reference Signal (PTRS) may be transmitted withPositioning Reference Signals (PRS) and used for positioning and/or usedto correct the phase offset between symbols in the PRS. A request may bemade to transmit PTRS alone or with the PRS, or that the PRS istransmitted with a specific PRS frame structure, e.g., with a specificcomb value, that minimizes the impact of phase noise. The PTRS or aphase ramp of the staggered symbols in the PRS may be used to estimateand correct the phase offset. Less than all of the symbols transmittedin the PRS may be used to generate positioning measurements to minimizethe impact of phase noise.

A method of estimating a position of a mobile device performed by anentity in a wireless network, includes receiving reference symbolstransmitted by one or more second entities in the wireless network;estimating phase offsets between each symbol relative to an anchorsymbol in the reference symbols resulting from clock changes; andgenerating positioning measurements using the phase offsets in thereference symbols for estimating the position of the mobile device.

An entity in a wireless network capable of estimating a position of amobile device, includes an external interface for receiving and sendingmessages; at least one memory; and at least one processor coupled to theexternal interface and the at least one memory, the at least oneprocessor configured to: receive reference symbols transmitted by one ormore second entities in the wireless network; estimate phase offsetsbetween each symbol relative to an anchor symbol in the referencesymbols resulting from clock changes; and generate positioningmeasurements using the phase offsets in the reference symbols forestimating the position of the mobile device.

An entity in a wireless network capable of estimating a position of amobile device, includes means for receiving reference symbolstransmitted by one or more second entities in the wireless network;means for estimating phase offsets between each symbol relative to ananchor symbol in the reference symbols resulting from clock changes; andmeans for generating positioning measurements using the phase offsets inthe reference symbols for estimating the position of the mobile device.

A non-transitory computer readable storage medium including program codestored thereon, the program code is operable to configure at least oneprocessor in an entity for supporting estimating a position of a mobiledevice, includes program code to receive reference symbols transmittedby one or more second entities in the wireless network; program code toestimate phase offsets between each symbol relative to an anchor symbolin the reference symbols resulting from clock changes; and program codeto generate positioning measurements using the phase offsets in thereference symbols for estimating the position of the mobile device.

A method of estimating a position of a mobile device performed by anentity in a wireless network, includes establishing a positioningsession between the mobile device and a base station in the wirelessnetwork; requesting positioning reference signals are transmitted with acomb value; receiving positioning reference signals with the comb valuefrom a second entity in the wireless network; and generating positioningmeasurements using the positioning reference signals with the comb valuefor estimating the position of the mobile device.

An entity in a wireless network capable of estimating a position of amobile device, includes an external interface for receiving and sendingmessages; at least one memory; and at least one processor coupled to theexternal interface and the at least one memory, the at least oneprocessor configured to: establish a positioning session between themobile device and a base station in the wireless network; requestpositioning reference signals are transmitted with a comb value; receivepositioning reference signals with the comb value from a second entityin the wireless network; and generate positioning measurements using thepositioning reference signals with the comb value for estimating theposition of the mobile device.

An entity in a wireless network capable of estimating a position of amobile device, includes means for establishing a positioning sessionbetween the mobile device and a base station in the wireless network;means for requesting positioning reference signals are transmitted witha comb value; means for receiving positioning reference signals with thecomb value from a second entity in the wireless network; and means forgenerating positioning measurements using the positioning referencesignals with the comb value for estimating the position of the mobiledevice.

A non-transitory computer readable storage medium including program codestored thereon, the program code is operable to configure at least oneprocessor in an entity for supporting estimating a position of a mobiledevice, includes program code to establish a positioning session betweenthe mobile device and a base station in the wireless network; programcode to request positioning reference signals are transmitted with acomb value; program code to receive positioning reference signals withthe comb value from a second entity in the wireless network; and programcode to generate positioning measurements using the positioningreference signals with the comb value for estimating the position of themobile device.

A method of estimating a position of a mobile device performed by anentity in a wireless network, includes receiving positioning referencesignals comprising a plurality of symbols where each symbol is comprisedof a plurality of sub-carriers from a second entity in the wirelessnetwork; and generating positioning measurements using less than all ofthe plurality of symbols in the positioning reference signals forestimating the position of the mobile device.

An entity in a wireless network capable of estimating a position of amobile device, includes an external interface for receiving and sendingmessages; at least one memory; and at least one processor coupled to theexternal interface and the at least one memory, the at least oneprocessor configured to: receive positioning reference signalscomprising a plurality of symbols where each symbol is comprised of aplurality of sub-carriers from a second entity in the wireless network;and generate positioning measurements using less than all of theplurality of symbols in the positioning reference signals for estimatingthe position of the mobile device.

An entity in a wireless network capable of estimating a position of amobile device, includes means for receiving positioning referencesignals comprising a plurality of symbols where each symbol is comprisedof a plurality of sub-carriers from a second entity in the wirelessnetwork; and means for generating positioning measurements using lessthan all of the plurality of symbols in the positioning referencesignals for estimating the position of the mobile device.

A non-transitory computer readable storage medium including program codestored thereon, the program code is operable to configure at least oneprocessor in an entity for supporting estimating a position of a mobiledevice, includes program code to receive positioning reference signalscomprising a plurality of symbols where each symbol is comprised of aplurality of sub-carriers from a second entity in the wireless network;and program code to generate positioning measurements using less thanall of the plurality of symbols in the positioning reference signals forestimating the position of the mobile device.

A method of estimating a position of a mobile device performed by anentity in a wireless network, includes receiving positioning referencesignals comprising a plurality of symbols where each symbol is comprisedof a plurality of sub-carriers from a second entity in the wirelessnetwork, the plurality of symbols being staggered; determining a phaseoffset between each symbol relative to an anchor symbol; removing phaseoffset from each symbol; generating positioning measurements using theplurality of staggered symbols with removed phase offset for estimatingthe position of the mobile device.

An entity in a wireless network capable of estimating a position of amobile device, includes an external interface for receiving and sendingmessages; at least one memory; and at least one processor coupled to theexternal interface and the at least one memory, the at least oneprocessor configured to: receive positioning reference signalscomprising a plurality of symbols where each symbol is comprised of aplurality of sub-carriers from a second entity in the wireless network,the plurality of symbols being staggered; determine a phase offsetbetween each symbol relative to an anchor symbol; remove phase offsetfrom each symbol; generate positioning measurements using the pluralityof staggered symbols with removed phase offset for estimating theposition of the mobile device.

An entity in a wireless network capable of estimating a position of amobile device, includes means for receiving positioning referencesignals comprising a plurality of symbols where each symbol is comprisedof a plurality of sub-carriers from a second entity in the wirelessnetwork, the plurality of symbols being staggered; means for determininga phase offset between each symbol relative to an anchor symbol; meansfor removing phase offset from each symbol; means for generatingpositioning measurements using the plurality of staggered symbols withremoved phase offset for estimating the position of the mobile device.

A non-transitory computer readable storage medium including program codestored thereon, the program code is operable to configure at least oneprocessor in an entity for supporting estimating a position of a mobiledevice, includes program code to receive positioning reference signalscomprising a plurality of symbols where each symbol is comprised of aplurality of sub-carriers from a second entity in the wireless network,the plurality of symbols being staggered; program code to determine aphase offset between each symbol relative to an anchor symbol; programcode to remove phase offset from each symbol; program code to generatepositioning measurements using the plurality of staggered symbols withremoved phase offset for estimating the position of the mobile device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an architecture of an exemplary system capable of providinglocation services to a mobile device.

FIG. 2 shows a simplified block diagram illustrating entities in asystem capable of determining the location of a mobile device.

FIG. 3A shows the structure of an exemplary Long Term Evolution (LTE)frame with Positioning Reference Signals (PRS).

FIG. 3B illustrates the relationship between the System Frame Number(SFN), the cell specific subframe offset and the PRS Periodicity in anLTE frame.

FIG. 4 illustrates a nine different positioning reference signal (PRS)frame structures with varying symbol and comb values.

FIG. 5A illustrates an example of the effect of modeled phase noise onCER peak for a PRS frame structure with a comb value of 2 and a symbolvalue of 2 for a phase error of 0°, 10°, and 15°.

FIG. 5B illustrates an example of the effect of modeled phase noise onCER peak for a PRS frame structure with a comb value of 12 and a symbolvalue of 12 for a phase error of 0°, 10°, and 15°.

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrates closer views of the effect of phase noise onCER peak for a PRS frame structure that has comb 12 and symbol 12 for aphase error of 0° and 15°, in a clean channel and in a channel withAdditive White Gaussian Noise (AWGN), respectively.

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate one implementation of estimating phase noiseusing a phase ramp of staggered symbols in the PRS frame structure.

FIG. 8A illustrates a slot configuration that includes unstaggered phasetracking reference signal (PTRS) without DL-PRS for positioning.

FIG. 8B illustrates a PRS frame structure that is a mix of staggered DLPRS and unstaggered PTRS, which may be used to estimate phase noise.

FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary message flow that supports requestingPTRS for positioning, PTRS with DL-PRS and/or UL-PRS signals or aspecific PRS frame structure to reduce the impact of phase noise.

FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary message flow that supports determiningthe presence of phase noise in the PRS and in response requesting PTRSwith PRS signals or a specific PRS frame structure to reduce the impactof phase noise.

FIG. 11 illustrates an exemplary message flow that supports using lessthan all symbols included in the received PRS for positioningmeasurement in order to reduce the impact of phase noise.

FIG. 12 illustrates an exemplary message flow that supports estimatingand correcting phase noise present in PRS transmissions.

FIG. 13 illustrates a flowchart for an exemplary method of using PTRSwith transmitted PRS signals for estimating a position of a mobiledevice.

FIG. 14 illustrates a flowchart for an exemplary method of requesting aspecific comb value in the PRS frame structure to reduce the impact ofphase noise while estimating a position of a mobile device.

FIG. 15 illustrates a flowchart for an exemplary method of using lessthan all symbols included in the received PRS to reduce the impact ofphase noise while estimating a position of a mobile device.

FIG. 16 illustrates a flowchart for an exemplary method of estimatingand correcting phase noise present in PRS transmissions for estimating aposition of a mobile device.

FIG. 17 illustrates a schematic block diagram showing certain exemplaryfeatures of a mobile device enabled to reduce the impact of phase noisein PRS signals for estimating a position of the mobile device.

FIG. 18 illustrates a schematic block diagram showing certain exemplaryfeatures of a base station enabled to reduce the impact of phase noisein PRS signals for estimating a position of the mobile device.

Elements are indicated by numeric labels in the figures with likenumbered elements in different figures representing the same element orsimilar elements. Different instances of a common element are indicatedby following a numeric label for the common element with a distinctnumeric suffix. In this case, a reference to the numeric label without asuffix indicates any instance of the common element. For example, FIG. 1contains four distinct network cells, labelled 110 a, 110 b, 110 c, and110 d. A reference to a cell 110 then corresponds to any of the cells110 a, 110 b, 110 c, and 110 d.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The terms “mobile device”, “mobile stations” (MS), “user equipment” (UE)and “target” are used interchangeably herein and may refer to a devicesuch as a cellular or other wireless communication device, personalcommunication system (PCS) device, personal navigation device (PND),Personal Information Manager (PIM), Personal Digital Assistant (PDA),laptop, smartphone, tablet or other suitable mobile device which iscapable of receiving wireless communication and/or navigation signals.The terms are also intended to include devices which communicate with apersonal navigation device (PND), such as by short-range wireless,infrared, wireline connection, or other connection—regardless of whethersatellite signal reception, assistance data reception, and/orposition-related processing occurs at the device or at the PND.

In addition, the terms MS, UE, “mobile device” or “target” are intendedto include all devices, including wireless and wireline communicationdevices, computers, laptops, etc., which are capable of communicationwith a server, such as via the Internet, WiFi, cellular wirelessnetwork, Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) network, packet cable network orother network, and regardless of whether satellite signal reception,assistance data reception, and/or position-related processing occurs atthe device, at a server, or at another device associated with thenetwork. Any operable combination of the above are also considered a“mobile device.”

The detailed description set forth below, in connection with theappended drawings, is intended as a description of variousconfigurations and is not intended to represent the only configurationsin which the concepts described herein may be practiced. The detaileddescription includes specific details for the purpose of providing athorough understanding of the various concepts. However, it will beapparent to those skilled in the art that these concepts may bepracticed without these specific details. In some instances, well-knownstructures and components are shown in block diagram form in order toavoid obscuring such concepts.

The techniques described herein may be used for various wirelesscommunication networks such as code-division multiple access (CDMA),time-division multiple access (TDMA), frequency-division multiple access(FDMA), orthogonal frequency-division multiple access (OFDMA),single-carrier FDMA (SC-FDMA) and other networks. The terms “network”and “system” are often used interchangeably. A CDMA network mayimplement a radio technology such as Universal Terrestrial Radio Access(UTRA), cdma2000, etc. UTRA includes Wideband CDMA (WCDMA) and othervariants of CDMA. cdma2000 covers IS-2000, IS-95 and IS-856 standards. ATDMA network may implement a radio technology such as Global System forMobile Communications (GSM). An OFDMA network may implement a radiotechnology such as Evolved UTRA (E-UTRA), Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB),IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX), IEEE 802.20, Flash-OFDMA, etc.UTRA and E-UTRA are part of Universal Mobile Telecommunication System(UMTS). 3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE) and LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) are newreleases of UMTS that use E-UTRA. UTRA, E-UTRA, UMTS, LTE, LTE-A and GSMare described in documents from an organization named “3rd GenerationPartnership Project” (3GPP). CDMA2000 and UMB are described in documentsfrom an organization named “3rd Generation Partnership Project 2”(3GPP2). The techniques described herein may be used for the wirelessnetworks and radio technologies mentioned above as well as otherwireless networks and radio technologies, such as a next generation(e.g., 5th Generation (5G) new radio (NR) operating in mmWave bands)network.

Radio technologies, such as 5G mmWave bands, can offer a much largeravailable spectrum bandwidth than older technologies, such as LTE, whichis considered as one of the most promising approaches to significantlyboost the capacity in 5G NR. However, devices and network radio nodesoperating with high frequencies, e.g., mmWave bands, suffer from phasenoise. Without correction of the phase noise, the performance of a 5G NRnetwork could potentially suffer significant losses. For example,without correction, phase noise will have a direct effect on theaccuracy of a final position fix in 5G NR network.

The present application describes mechanisms for improving positioningaccuracy in 5G NR network in the presence of phase noise.

FIG. 1 illustrates a wireless communication network 100 according toembodiments of the present disclosure. The network 100 includes BSs 105,UEs 115, and one or more core networks which may be, e.g., an EvolvedPacket Core (EPC) 160 (sometimes referred to as an LTE network 160) or a5G Core (5GC) network 190 (sometimes referred to as the 5G NR network190). In some embodiments, the network 100 operates over a sharedspectrum. The shared spectrum may be unlicensed or partially licensed toone or more network operators. Access to the spectrum may be limited andmay be controlled by a separate coordination entity. In someembodiments, the network 100 may be a millimeter wave (mmW) network, anew radio (NR) network, a 5G network, or any other successor network toLTE. The network 100 may be operated by more than one network operator.Wireless resources may be partitioned and arbitrated among the differentnetwork operators for coordinated communication between the networkoperators over the network 100.

The BSs 105 may wirelessly communicate with the UEs 115 via one or moreBS antennas. Each BS 105 may provide communication coverage for arespective geographic coverage area 110. In 3GPP, the term “cell” canrefer to this particular geographic coverage area of a BS and/or a BSsubsystem serving the coverage area, depending on the context in whichthe term is used. In this regard, a BS 105 may provide communicationcoverage for a macro cell, a pico cell, a femto cell, and/or other typesof cell. A macro cell generally covers a relatively large geographicarea (e.g., several kilometers in radius) and may allow unrestrictedaccess by UEs with service subscriptions with the network provider. Apico cell may generally cover a relatively smaller geographic area andmay allow unrestricted access by UEs with service subscriptions with thenetwork provider. A femto cell may also generally cover a relativelysmall geographic area (e.g., a home) and, in addition to unrestrictedaccess, may also provide restricted access by UEs having an associationwith the femto cell (e.g., UEs in a closed subscriber group (CSG), UEsfor users in the home, and the like). A BS for a macro cell may bereferred to as a macro BS. A BS for a pico cell may be referred to as apico BS. A BS for a femto cell may be referred to as a femto BS or ahome BS. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the BSs 105 a, 105 b and 105 care examples of macro BSs for the coverage areas 110 a, 110 b and 110 c,respectively. The BSs 105 d is an example of a pico BS or a femto BS forthe coverage area 110 d. As will be recognized, a BS 105 may support oneor multiple (e.g., two, three, four, and the like) cells.

Communication links 125 shown in the network 100 may include uplink (UL)transmissions from a UE 115 to a BS 105, or downlink (DL) transmissions,from a BS 105 to a UE 115. The UEs 115 may be dispersed throughout thenetwork 100, and each UE 115 may be stationary or mobile. A UE 115 mayalso be referred to as a mobile station, a subscriber station, a mobileunit, a subscriber unit, a wireless unit, a remote unit, a mobiledevice, a wireless device, a wireless communications device, a remotedevice, a mobile subscriber station, an access terminal, a mobileterminal, a wireless terminal, a remote terminal, a handset, a useragent, a mobile client, a client, or some other suitable terminology. AUE 115 may also be a cellular phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA),a wireless modem, a wireless communication device, a handheld device, atablet computer, a laptop computer, a cordless phone, a personalelectronic device, a handheld device, a personal computer, a wirelesslocal loop (WLL) station, an Internet of things (IoT) device, anInternet of Everything (IoE) device, a machine type communication (MTC)device, an appliance, an automobile, or the like.

The BSs 105 may communicate with one or more core networks and with oneanother. The core networks may provide user authentication, accessauthorization, tracking, Internet Protocol (IP) connectivity, and otheraccess, routing, or mobility functions.

The EPC 160, by way of example, may include a Mobility Management Entity(MME) 162, an Enhanced Serving Mobile Location Center (E-SMLC) 164, aServing Gateway 166, a Gateway Mobile Location Center (GMLC) 168, a HomeSecure User Plane Location (SUPL) Location Platform (H-SLP) 170, and aPacket Data Network (PDN) Gateway 172. The MME 162 may be incommunication with a Home Subscriber Server (HSS) 174. The MME 162 isthe control node that processes the signaling between the UEs 104 andthe EPC 160. Generally, the MME 162 provides bearer and connectionmanagement. The E-SMLC 164 may support location determination of theUEs, e.g., using the 3GPP control plane (CP) location solution. All userInternet protocol (IP) packets are transferred through the ServingGateway 166, which itself is connected to the PDN Gateway 172. The PDNGateway 172 provides UE IP address allocation as well as otherfunctions. The PDN Gateway 172 is connected to the IP Services 176. TheIP Services 176 may include the Internet, an intranet, an IP MultimediaSubsystem (IMS), a PS Streaming Service, and/or other IP services. TheGMLC 168 may provide location access to the UE on behalf of externalclients, e.g., within IP Services 176. The H-SLP 170 may support theSUPL User Plane (UP) location solution defined by the Open MobileAlliance (OMA) and may support location services for UEs based onsubscription information for the UEs stored in H-SLP 170.

The 5GC 190 may include an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF)192, a Gateway Mobile Location Center (GMLC) 193, a Session ManagementFunction (SMF) 194, and a User Plane Function (UPF) 195, and a LocationManagement Function (LMF) 196. The AMF 192 may be in communication witha Unified Data Management (UDM) 197. The AMF 192 is the control nodethat processes the signaling between the UEs 104 and the 5GC 190 andwhich, for positioning functionality, may communicate with the LMF 196,which supports location determination of UEs. The GMLC 193 may be usedto allow an external client, within IP Services 198, to receive locationinformation regarding the UEs. All user Internet protocol (IP) packetsmay be transferred through the UPF 195. The UPF 195 provides UE IPaddress allocation as well as other functions. The UPF 195 is connectedto the IP Services 198. The IP Services 198 may include the Internet, anintranet, an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), a PS Streaming Service,and/or other IP services.

At least some of the BSs 105 (e.g., which may be an example of anevolved NodeB (eNB), a next generation NodeB (gNB), or an access nodecontroller (ANC)) may interface with the core networks through backhaullinks 132 and/or 184 (e.g., S1, S2, etc.) and may perform radioconfiguration and scheduling for communication with the UEs 115. Invarious examples, the BSs 105 may communicate, either directly orindirectly (e.g., through core networks), with each other over backhaullinks 134 and/or 184 (e.g., X1, X2, etc.), which may be wired orwireless communication links.

Each BS 105 may also communicate with a number of UEs 115 through anumber of other BSs 105, where the BS 105 may be an example of a smartradio head. In alternative configurations, various functions of each BS105 may be distributed across various BSs 105 (e.g., radio heads andaccess network controllers) or consolidated into a single BS 105.

In some implementations, the network 100 utilizes orthogonal frequencydivision multiplexing (OFDM) on the downlink and single-carrierfrequency division multiplexing (SC-FDM) on the UL. OFDM and SC-FDMpartition the system bandwidth into multiple (K) orthogonal subcarriers,which are also commonly referred to as tones, bins, or the like. Eachsubcarrier may be modulated with data. In general, modulation symbolsare sent in the frequency domain with OFDM and in the time domain withSC-FDM. The spacing between adjacent subcarriers may be fixed, and thetotal number of subcarriers (K) may be dependent on the systembandwidth. The system bandwidth may also be partitioned into subbands.

In an embodiment, the BSs 105 can assign or schedule transmissionresources (e.g., in the form of time-frequency resource blocks) for DLand UL transmissions in the network 100. DL refers to the transmissiondirection from a BS 105 to a UE 115, whereas UL refers to thetransmission direction from a UE 115 to a BS 105. The communication canbe in the form of radio frames. A radio frame may be divided into aplurality of subframes, for example, about 10. Each subframe can bedivided into slots, for example, about 2. Each slot may be furtherdivided into min-slots, as described in greater detail herein. In afrequency-division duplexing (FDD) mode, simultaneous UL and DLtransmissions may occur in different frequency bands. For example, eachsubframe includes a UL subframe in a UL frequency band and a DL subframein a DL frequency band. In a time-division duplexing (TDD) mode, UL andDL transmissions occur at different time periods using the samefrequency band. For example, a subset of the subframes (e.g., DLsubframes) in a radio frame may be used for DL transmissions and anothersubset of the subframes (e.g., UL subframes) in the radio frame may beused for UL transmissions.

The DL subframes and the UL subframes can be further divided intoseveral regions. For example, each DL or UL subframe may havepre-defined regions for transmissions of reference signals, controlinformation, and data. Reference signals are predetermined signals thatfacilitate the communications between the BSs 105 and the UEs 115. Forexample, a reference signal can have a particular pilot pattern orstructure, where pilot tones may span across an operational bandwidth orfrequency band, each positioned at a pre-defined time and a pre-definedfrequency. For example, a BS 105 may transmit cell-specific referencesignals (CRSs) and/or channel state information-reference signals(CSI-RSs) to enable a UE 115 to estimate a DL channel. Similarly, a UE115 may transmit sounding reference signals (SRSs) to enable a BS 105 toestimate a UL channel. Control information may include resourceassignments and protocol controls. Data may include protocol data and/oroperational data. In some embodiments, the BSs 105 and the UEs 115 maycommunicate using self-contained subframes. A self-contained subframemay include a portion for DL communication and a portion for ULcommunication. A self-contained subframe can be DL-centric orUL-centric. A DL-centric subframe may include a longer duration for DLcommunication than UL communication. A UL-centric subframe may include alonger duration for UL communication than UL communication.

In an embodiment, a UE 115 attempting to access the network 100 mayperform an initial cell search by detecting a primary synchronizationsignal (PSS) from a BS 105. The PSS may enable synchronization of periodtiming and may indicate a sector identity value (e.g., 0, 1, 2, etc.).The UE 115 may then receive a secondary synchronization signal (SSS).The SSS may enable radio frame synchronization, and may provide a cellidentity value, which may be combined with the PSS identity value toidentify the physical cell identity. The SSS may also enable detectionof a duplexing mode and a cyclic prefix length. Both the PSS and the SSSmay be located in a central portion of a carrier, respectively. Afterreceiving the PSS and SSS, the UE 115 may receive a master informationblock (MIB), which may be transmitted in the physical broadcast channel(PBCH). The MIB may contain system bandwidth information, a system framenumber (SFN), and a Physical Hybrid-ARQ Indicator Channel (PHICH)configuration. After decoding the MIB, the UE 115 may receive one ormore System Information Blocks (SIBs). For example, SIB1 may containcell access parameters and scheduling information for other SIBs.Decoding SIB1 may enable the UE 115 to receive SIB2. SIB2 may containradio resource configuration (RRC) configuration information related torandom access channel (RACH) procedures, paging, physical uplink controlchannel (PUCCH), physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH), power control,SRS, and cell barring. After obtaining the MIB and/or the SIBs, the UE115 can perform random access procedures to establish a connection withthe BS 105. After establishing the connection, the UE 115 and the BS 105can enter a normal operation stage, where operational data may beexchanged.

In some examples, wireless communications network 100 may be apacket-based network that operates according to a layered protocolstack. In the user plane, communications at the bearer or Packet DataConvergence Protocol (PDCP) layer may be IP-based. A Radio Link Control(RLC) layer may perform packet segmentation and reassembly tocommunicate over logical channels. A Medium Access Control (MAC) layermay perform priority handling and multiplexing of logical channels intotransport channels. The MAC layer may also use hybrid automatic repeatrequest (HARQ) to provide retransmission at the MAC layer to improvelink efficiency. In the control plane, the Radio Resource Control (RRC)protocol layer may provide establishment, configuration, and maintenanceof an RRC connection between a UE 115 and a base station 105 or corenetworks 160 or 190 supporting radio bearers for user plane data. At thePhysical layer, transport channels may be mapped to physical channels.

Physical channels may be multiplexed on a carrier according to varioustechniques. A physical control channel and a physical data channel maybe multiplexed on a downlink carrier, for example, using time divisionmultiplexing (TDM) techniques, frequency division multiplexing (FDM)techniques, or hybrid TDM-FDM techniques. In some examples, controlinformation transmitted in a physical control channel may be distributedbetween different control regions in a cascaded manner (for example,between a common control region or common search space and one or moreUE-specific control regions or UE-specific search spaces).

As described herein, wireless communications network 100 may support NRand support communications between the one or more base stations 105 andsupported UEs 115 using communication links 125. The UEs 115 may bedispersed throughout the wireless communications network 100, and eachUE 115 may be stationary or mobile. Wireless communications network 100may minimize always-on transmission and support forward capability,including transmission of reference signals based on a need at a basestation 105 or a UE 115. As part of the communication, each of the basestations 105 and UEs 115 may support reference signal transmission foroperations, including channel estimation, beam management andscheduling, and wireless device positioning within the one or morecoverage areas 110.

For example, the base stations 105 may transmit one or more downlinkreference signals for NR communications, including channel stateinformation reference signal (CSI-RS) transmission. Each of the CSI-RStransmissions may be configured for a specific UE 115 to estimate thechannel and report channel quality information. The reported channelquality information may be used for scheduling or link adaptation at thebase stations 105 or as part of a mobility or beam management procedurefor directional transmission associated with the enhanced channelresources.

In some examples, the base stations 105 may transmit one or moreadditional downlink reference signals for communication, including apositioning reference signal (PRS) transmission. The PRS transmissionmay be configured for a specific UE 115 to measure and report one ormore report parameters (for example, report quantities) associated withpositioning and location information. A base station 105 may use thereported information as part of a UE-assisted positioning technique. ThePRS transmission and report parameter feedback may support variouslocation services (for example, navigation systems and emergencycommunications). In some examples, the report parameters supplement oneor more additional location systems supported by the UE 115 (such asglobal positioning system (GPS) technology).

A base station 105 may configure a PRS transmission on one or more PRSresources of a channel. A PRS resource may span resource elements ofmultiple physical resource blocks (PRBs) within one or more OFDM symbolsof a slot depending on a configured number of ports. For example, a PRSresource may span one symbol of a slot and contain one port fortransmission. In any OFDM symbol, the PRS resources may occupyconsecutive PRBs. In some examples, the PRS transmission may be mappedto consecutive OFDM symbols of the slot. In other examples, the PRStransmission may be mapped to interspersed OFDM symbols of the slot.Additionally, the PRS transmission may support frequency hopping withinPRBs of the channel.

Aspects of wireless communications network 100 may include use of PRStransmissions by the base station 105 or sounding reference signal (SRS)transmissions by the UE 115 for UE location determination. Fordownlink-based UE location determination, a location server, e.g., anLMF 196 in 5G core network 190 and E-SMLC 164 in EPC 160, may be used toprovide positioning assistance, such as PRS assistance data (AD) to theUE 115. In UE-assisted positioning, the location server may receivemeasurement reports from the UE 115 that indicates position measurementsfor one or multiple base stations 105 with which location server maydetermine a position estimate for the UE 115, e.g., using OTDOA, orother desired techniques. In some implementations, the location servermay be located at a base station 105.

A position estimation of the UE 115 may be determined using referencesignals, such as PRS signals, from one or more base stations 105.Positioning methods, such as Observed Time Difference of Arrival(OTDOA), DL Time Difference of Arrival (DL-TDOA), DL Angle of Departure(DL AoD), Enhanced Cell ID (ECID) are position methods that may be usedto estimate the position of the UE 115 using reference signals from basestations. OTDOA, for example, relies on measuring Reference Signal TimeDifferences (RSTDs) between downlink (DL) signals received from a basestation for a reference cell and base station(s) for one or moreneighbor cells. The DL signals for which RTSDs may be obtained comprisea Cell-specific Reference Signal (CRS) and a Positioning ReferenceSignal (PRS)—e.g. as defined in 3GPP TS 36.211.

Other positioning methods may use reference signals transmitted by orreceived by base stations. While the present disclosure may be detailedwith reference to a single positioning method for brevity, it should beunderstood that present disclosure is applicable to multiple positioningmethods, including downlink-based positioning methods, uplink basedpositioning methods and downlink and uplink based positioning methods.For example, other positioning methods include, e.g., downlink basedpositioning methods such as DL Time Difference of Arrival (DL-TDOA), DLAngle of Departure (DL AoD), Enhanced Cell ID (ECID); uplink basedpositioning methods, e.g., UL Time Difference of Arrival (UL-TDOA), ULAngle of Arrival (UL AoA), UL Relative Time of Arrival (UL-RTOA); anddownlink and uplink based positioning methods, e.g., Round-trip time(RTT) with one or more neighboring base stations.

FIG. 2 shows a simplified block diagram illustrating some entities in asystem 200 capable of determining the location of UE 115. Referring toFIG. 2, location server 201 (e.g., LMF 196 or E-SMLC 164) may providelocation assistance data 202 to UE 115, e.g., via base station 105 shownin FIG. 1, which may be used to assist UE 115 in acquiring and measuringsignals 204 from reference source(s) 210 (e.g. which may base stations105 or satellite vehicles (SVs) for Global Navigation Satellite System(GNSS) 105), and/or in deriving or refining a location estimate 208 frommeasurements 206. Location assistance data 202 may include base stationalmanac (BSA) data for nearby base stations 105 such as cell identities,TP identities, DL PRS/NPRS signal characteristics, transmission timing,antenna coordinates, and/or approximate expected RSTD measurements.Location assistance data 202 may also or instead include information forSVs such as timing and ephemeris data.

In some embodiments, UE 115 may take the form, e.g., of a Secure UserPlane (SUPL) Enabled Terminal (SET), and may communicate with basestation 105 to provide an approximate location estimate 208 to locationserver 201 via a base station 105 (e.g. a current serving cell identityfor UE 115) and in response receive location assistance data 202applicable to the approximate location of UE 115. The UE 115 may use thelocation assistance data 202 to obtain measurements 206 from referencesource(s) 210 (e.g. which may comprise SVs and/or base stations 105),and may provide resulting location information to the location server201. The location information, in some implementations, may be themeasurements 206 themselves. The measurements 206 may comprise RSTDmeasurements in the case of reference sources 210 that include basestations 105 and/or may comprise GNSS pseudo-range or code phase valuesin the case of reference sources 210 that include SVs. The locationserver 201 may then generate a location estimate for UE 115 based on themeasurements 206, which may then be communicated to a Location Services(LCS) client (not shown in FIG. 2) and/or to UE 115. In someimplementations, (e.g. if assistance data 202 includes the locations ofbase stations 105 and/or precise orbital data for SVs), UE 115 ratherthan location server 201 may determine a location estimate for UE 115from the measurements 206. In this implementation, the locationinformation sent by the UE 115 to location server 201 may be thedetermined location estimate rather than or in addition to themeasurements 206.

UE 115 may measure signals from reference source(s) 210 to obtainmeasurements 206 and/or location estimate 208. Reference source(s) 210may represent SVs and/or base stations 105 associated with cells 110 innetwork. UE 115 may obtain measurements 206 by measuring pseudo-rangesfor SVs and/or OTDOA RSTDs, or other location measurements from basestations 105. The OTDOA RSTD measurements may be based on the measuredarrival times (e.g. TOA values) of downlink radio signals (e.g. PRS orCRS signals) from a plurality of base stations (such as gNodeBs for 5GNR) including one or more “neighbor cells” or “neighboring cells”relative to a “reference cell.”

In some instances, the OTDOA related measurements (such as RSTDs)obtained by UE 115 may be sent to location server 201 to derive aposition estimate for UE 115. The UE 115 may provide the RSTDs,including an identification of the reference cell and the neighbor cellfor each RSTD measurement, to the location server 201 as measurements206. The location estimate 208 provided to the location server 201 maybe, e.g., a rough estimate of the position of the UE 115 or informationfrom which a rough position of the UE 115 may be estimated, such as thecell ID of the cell serving UE 115 (the serving cell). In response, thelocation server 201 may identify the reference cell (typically, theserving cell) and neighboring cells for the OTDOA RSTD measurements, andmay provide location assistance data 202 to the UE 115 includingreference cell information and neighbor cell information.

The OTDOA measurements (e.g., RSTD measurements) obtained by UE 115 mayin principle be performed on any DL signals from base stations, such ascell-specific reference signals (CRS) or synchronization signals. Forimproved hearability, however, Positioning Reference Signals (PRS)transmitted by base stations may be preferred for OTDOA measurements.PRS signals, which are defined in 3GPP TS 36.211, are transmitted by abase station (eNodeB) in special positioning subframes that are groupedinto positioning occasions.

In some implementations, the UE 115 may transmit uplink (UL) signals 204to the reference source(s) 210, and the reference source(s) 210 measurethe signals to obtain measurements 212. Reference source(s) 210 in thisimplementation may represent base stations 105 associated with cells 110in network. The reference source(s) 210 may obtain measurements 212 bymeasuring UL Time Difference of Arrival (UL-TDOA), or other locationmeasurements from UE 115. In some implementations, the UE 115 maytransmit UL signals measured by reference source(s) 210 and thereference source(s) 210 may transmit DL signals measured by the UE 115for multi-cell measurements, e.g., Round-Trip Time (RTT) measurements,that may be used for positioning of the UE 115.

FIG. 3A shows the structure of an exemplary conventional LTE framesequence for any cell that supports LTE with PRS positioning occasions,and is similarly to that used for 5GNR. In FIG. 3A, time is representedon the X (horizontal) axis, while frequency is represented on the Y(vertical) axis. As shown in FIG. 3A, downlink and uplink LTE RadioFrames 10 are of 10 ms duration each. For downlink Frequency DivisionDuplex (FDD) mode, Radio Frames 10 are organized into ten subframes 12of 1 ms duration each. Each subframe 12 comprises two slots 14, each of0.5 ms duration.

In the frequency domain, the available bandwidth may be divided intouniformly spaced orthogonal subcarriers 16. For example, for a normallength cyclic prefix using 15 KHz spacing, subcarriers 16 may be groupedinto a group of 12 subcarriers. Each grouping, which comprises 12subcarriers 16, in FIG. 3A, is termed a resource block and in theexample above the number of subcarriers in the resource block may bewritten as N_(SC) ^(RB)=12. For a given channel bandwidth, the number ofavailable resource blocks on each channel 22, which is also called thetransmission bandwidth configuration 22, is given by N_(RB) ^(DL) 22.For example, for a 3 MHz channel bandwidth in the above example, thenumber of available resource blocks on each channel 22 is given byN_(RB) ^(DL)=15.

Referring to FIG. 1, in some embodiments, base stations 105 a, 105 b,105 c corresponding to cells 110 a, 110 b, 110 c, respectively, maytransmit PRS signals. PRS signals are transmitted by a base station(e.g. eNodeB or gNodeb) in special positioning subframes that aregrouped into positioning occasions (also referred to as PRS positioningoccasions and PRS occasions). For example, in LTE, a positioningoccasion can comprise a number, denoted herein as #_(PRS), of between 1and 160 consecutive positioning subframes and can occur periodically atintervals of 5, 10, 20, 40, 80, 160, 320, 640, or 1280 milliseconds. Inthe example shown in FIG. 3A, the number of consecutive positioningsubframes for a single positioning occasion 18 is 4 and may be writtenas #_(PRS)=4. The positioning occasions recur with PRS Periodicity 20.In FIG. 3A, PRS Periodicity 20 is denoted by T_(PRS). In someembodiments, T_(PRS) may be measured in terms of the number of subframesbetween the start of consecutive positioning occasions.

Within each positioning occasion 18, PRS may be transmitted with aconstant power. PRS can also be transmitted with zero power (i.e.,muted). Muting, which turns off a regularly scheduled PRS transmission,may be useful when PRS patterns between cells overlap. Muting aidssignal acquisition by UE 115. Muting may be viewed as thenon-transmission of a PRS for a given positioning occasion in aparticular cell. Muting patterns may be signaled to UE 115 usingbitstrings. For example, in a bitstring signaling a muting pattern, if abit at position j is set to “0”, then an MS may infer that the PRS ismuted for the j^(th) positioning occasion.

To further improve hearability of PRS, positioning subframes may below-interference subframes that are transmitted without user datachannels. As a result, in ideally synchronized networks, PRSs mayreceive interference from other cell PRSs with the same PRS patternindex (i.e., with the same frequency shift), but not from datatransmissions. The frequency shift, in LTE, for example, is defined as afunction of the Physical Cell Identifier (PCI) resulting in an effectivefrequency re-use factor of 6.

The PRS configuration parameters such as the number of consecutivepositioning subframes, periodicity, muting pattern, PRS code sequence,etc., may be configured by core networks 160 or 190 and may be signaledto UE 115 (e.g., by location server 164/196 via base station 105) aspart of the OTDOA assistance data. For example, LPP or LPPe messagesexchanged between UE 115 and location server 164/196 may be used totransfer location assistance data 202 from location server 164/196 to UE115 including OTDOA assistance data. OTDOA assistance data may includereference cell information and neighbor cell information. The referencecell and neighbor cell information may each contain the PCIs of thecells as well as PRS configuration parameters for the cells.

The OTDOA assistance data may include “expected RSTD” parameters, whichprovide UE 115 with information about the approximate RSTD values UE 115is expected to measure at its current location together with anuncertainty of the expected RSTD parameter. The expected RSTD togetherwith the uncertainty defines a search window for UE 115 where UE 115 isexpected to measure the RSTD value. “Expected RSTDs” for cells includedin the OTDOA assistance data neighbor cell information are usuallyprovided relative to an OTDOA assistance data reference cell. OTDOAassistance data may also include PRS configuration informationparameters, which allow UE 115 to determine approximately when a PRSpositioning occasion occurs on signals received from various cells, andto determine the PRS sequence transmitted from various cells in order tomeasure a TOA.

FIG. 3B illustrates the conventional relationship between the SystemFrame Number (SFN), the cell specific subframe offset (APRS) and the PRSPeriodicity 20. Typically, the cell specific PRS subframe configurationis defined by a “PRS Configuration Index” I_(PRS) included in the OTDOAassistance data. The cell specific subframe configuration period and thecell specific subframe offset for the transmission of positioningreference signals are defined based on the I_(PRS), in the 3GPPspecifications listed in Table 1 below.

TABLE 1 Positioning reference signal subframe configuration PRSconfiguration PRS periodicity T_(PRS) PRS subframe offset Δ_(PRS) IndexI_(PRS) (subframes) (subframes)  0-159 160 I_(PRS) 160-479 320 I_(PRS) −160   480-1119 640 I_(PRS) − 480  1120-2399 1280 I_(PRS) − 11202400-2404 5 I_(PRS) − 2400 2405-2414 10 I_(PRS) − 2405 2415-2434 20I_(PRS) − 2415 2435-2474 40 I_(PRS) − 2435 2475-2554 80 I_(PRS) − 24752555-4095 Reserved

A PRS configuration is defined with reference to the System Frame Number(SFN) of a cell that transmits PRS. PRS instances, for the firstsubframe of a PRS positioning occasion, satisfy(10×n _(j)+[n _(s)/2]−Δ_(PRS))mod T _(PRS)=0,  eq. 1where,

-   -   n_(f) is the SFN with 0≤SFN≤1023,    -   n_(s) is the slot number of the radio frame with 0≤n_(s)≤19,    -   T_(PRS) is the PRS period, and    -   Δ_(PRS) is the cell-specific subframe offset.

As shown in FIG. 3B, the cell specific subframe offset Δ_(PRS) 52 may bedefined in terms of the number of subframes transmitted starting fromSystem Frame Number 0, Slot Number 0 50 to the start of a PRSpositioning occasion. In FIG. 3B, the number of consecutive positioningsubframes in a positioning occasion 18 is #_(PRS)=4.

In some embodiments, when UE 115 receives a PRS configuration indexI_(PRS) in the OTDOA assistance data, UE 115 may determine PRSperiodicity T_(PRS) and PRS subframe offset Δ_(PRS) using Table 1. Uponobtaining information about the frame and slot timing i.e., the SFN andslot number (n_(f), n_(s)) for cell 145-k, UE 115 may determine theframe and slot when a PRS is scheduled in cell 145-k.

The OTDOA assistance data is determined by location server 164/196 andincludes assistance data for a reference cell, and a number of neighborcells. Additionally, in a request for location information (e.g. arequest for OTDOA RSTD measurements) sent by location server 164/196 toUE 115, the location server 164/196 typically specifies a response time,which defines some reporting time interval (e.g. 16 seconds long) withinwhich measurements must be made by the UE 115 for a set of cells. Duringthe reporting interval (also referred to herein as a reporting timeinterval or response time), the UE 115 may collect measurements fromeach cell during one or more positioning occasions for that cell, whichmay occur with a frequency of, e.g., 160 ms. Accordingly, the UE 115 maycollect approximately 100 measurements for different cells during a 16second reporting time interval if positioning occasions for each cellhave a periodicity of 160 milliseconds. Conventionally, however, at theend of the response time, the UE 115 returns only a single RSTD (OTDOA)measurement for each cell, even though more than one TOA measurement mayhave been obtained for that cell during the reporting interval.

As bandwidth increases, phase noise will likewise increase. With radiotechnologies, such as e.g., 5G mmWave, phase noise will have a prominenteffect on positioning methods. Without correction of the phase noise,will have a direct effect on the accuracy of a final position fix in 5GNR network.

FIG. 4 illustrates a nine different positioning reference signal (PRS)frame structures proposed in the 3GPP release 16. Each PRS framestructure illustrates the transmission of a downlink (DL or UL) PRS witha shaded square. It should be understood that the PRS transmissions maybe downlink by the base stations or uplink by the UE. While the termDL-PRS or the term UL-PRS are sometimes used herein, it should beunderstood that unless otherwise stated this is not intended to indicatethat use of one is to the exclusion of the other in this disclosure. ThePRS frame structures are identified with the number of symbols of thesubframe in each sub-carrier, during which DL-PRS are transmitted andthe frequency of transmission of each symbol, referred to as comb. Theterm “symbol” is well defined in LTE and NR as a collection ofsub-carriers transmitted over some common and fixed time duration. Forexample, the top left PRS frame structure illustrates DL-PRS transmittedat two symbols of the subframe in each sub-carrier, i.e., symbols 4 and5 and each symbol is transmitted every second subcarrier, and is thusreferred to as a comb-2, symbol 2 PRS frame structure. The top row ofFIG. 4 illustrates three PRS frame structures with 2, 4, and 6 symbols,all of which have a comb 2 structure, the middle row illustrates threePRS frame structures with 2, 4, and 6 symbols, all of which have a comb4 structure, and the bottom row illustrates three PRS frame structureswith 2, 4, and 6 symbols, all of which have a comb 6 structure. Forexample, the top left PRS frame structure uses 2 symbols (symbols 4 and5), where only every other sub-carrier is utilized within each symbol(comb-2). Similarly, the bottom right PRS frame structure uses 6symbols, and only every sixth sub-carrier is utilized within eachsymbol.

Phase noise is produced by clock changes in the UE 115, which results inphase offsets between the symbols in the PRS frame structure. The phasenoise may manifest itself as jitter, and may increase the Error VectorMagnitude (EVM) for a modulation constellation. With the presence ofphase noise, a reference signal in one symbol cannot be used to anchordata modulation in a different symbol. The jitter impact, however, iscommon-mode for all sub-carriers of a given symbol. A phase trackingreference signal (PTRS) may be used by a UE to measure the phase changefrom one symbol to another (e.g. using a strong signal), and correct it.PTRS is defined by 3GPP for data, and not for PRS. For example, PTRS isdefined in 3GPP Technical Specification 38.211, section 6.4.1.2 foruplink and section 7.4.1.2 for downlink. In some implementations, otherreference symbols or reference signals that span multiple symbols may beused. The resource elements in symbols in PTRS are unstaggered, i.e., ituses the same set of sub-carriers in all symbols, which simplifies phasecomparison from one symbol to the next because phase ramp impact, i.e.,delay, is common-mode for a sub-carrier. In contrast, the symbols in aPRS frame structure, such as that shown in FIG. 4 are staggered, andthus, suffer from phase ramp impact.

From a positioning standpoint, Rel-16 currently has defined DL-PRS asany combination of comb {2,4,6} and {2,4,6} symbols, as illustrated inFIG. 4. The full frequency spectrum may be used, i.e., all sub-carrierswithin the bandwidth of the signal are used, which would requirecoherent combination of measurements from different symbols. The impactof phase noise in this case is that it could break the assumption ofcoherency among symbols.

FIG. 5A illustrates an example of the effect of modeled phase noise onChannel Energy Response (CER), sometimes known as correlation peak, fora PRS frame structure with a comb value of 2 and a symbol value of 2 fora phase error of 0°, 10°, and 15°. As can be seen, side lobes aregenerated at approximately ±4000 in the time bin for phase errors of 10°and 15°, but in general there is little effect of phase noise. FIG. 5B,in contrast, illustrates an example of the effect of modeled phase noiseon CER peak for a PRS frame structure that has comb 12 and symbol 12 and275 resource blocks, for a phase error of 0°, 10°, and 15°. While thePRS frame structures in the current 3GPP specification use up to comb 6and symbol 6 structure, as illustrated in FIG. 4, comb 12 and symbol 12have been proposed, moreover, FIG. 5B is illustrative of the effect ofphase noise on PRS structures with larger comb and symbol numbers. Ascan be seen, a significant number of side lobes are generated for phaseerrors of 100 and 15°.

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrates closer views of the effect of phase noise onCER peak for a PRS frame structure that has comb 12 and symbol 12 and275 resource blocks for a phase error of 0° and 15° , in a clean channeland in a channel with Additive White Gaussian Noise (AWGN),respectively. As can be seen, as phase noise increases, side lobes areproduced, e.g., a phase error of 15 degrees produces large side lobes atapproximately ±690 in the time bin. Additional side lobes are present inlarger time bins, as illustrated in FIG. 5B. Further, the overall noisefloor also increases as phase noise increases. The presence of sidelobes makes identification of the center peak difficult and prone toerror and can lead to false detection of the earliest arrival peak.Additionally, there is a small signal to noise ratio (SNR) decrease forthe CER peaks as phase noise increases. Accordingly, the phase errorrequires correction, particularly when the PRS structure has a largercomb and symbol numbers.

As illustrated in the comparison of FIGS. 5A and 5B, when the PRS framestructure has sufficiently small comb and symbol, phase noise may havelittle effect on positioning measurements. As the comb and symbol in thePRS frame structure increases, the phase noise will have a larger effecton positioning measurements. The UE 115 may report to a location server,e.g., LMF 196 or E-SMLC 164, if positioning measurements are limited byphase noise, e.g., based on a determination using collected positioningmeasurements or based on the capabilities of the UE 115 and the comb andsymbol of a PRS frame structure that can be accommodated by the UE 115.Similarly, a base station 105 may report to the location server, e.g.,LMF 196 or E-SMLC 164, if positioning measurements are limited by phasenoise, and the UE 115 may transmit a PRS frame structure that can beaccommodated.

Accordingly, it may be desirable for a UE or base station to determinewhether positioning measurements are limited by phase noise. In someimplementations, the UE 115 or base station 105 may determine ifpositioning measurements are limited by phase noise using the measuredToA. For example, the UE 115 or base station 105 may examine the CERvector structure, e.g., illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B. The UE 115 orbase station 105 may determine the positioning measurements are limitedby phase noise if the number of side lobes or if the magnitude of sidelobes is above a predetermined threshold. In one embodiment, modeled CERvectors for different symbol lengths and comb values (such as that shownin FIGS. 5A and 5B may be used to compare to a detected CER vector. Forexample, if detectable peaks in a CER vector appear at an offset from amain lobe that corresponds to +/− side lobes of a modeled CER vector fora corresponding symbol length and comb value, this may indicate that thepeaks are due to phase noise.

With PTRS being unstaggered, and PRS positioning signals typicallystaggered, there may be several implementations that may be used toalleviate the impact from phase noise. For example, the PTRS signals maybe used for positioning. Unstaggered signals, such as those used inPTRS, produce alias terms in time domain. Accordingly, externalconstraints may be used to resolve the ambiguities produced when PTRSsignals are used for positioning. In another implementation, a mix ofstaggered PRS signals and unstaggered PTRS signals may be used. Forexample, the UE may measure phase noise using the PTRS resource elements(REs) and correct the measurements of PRS accordingly. The use of PTRSwith PRS, however, would reduce the orthogonality of the PRS framestructure as a whole. In another implementation, only the staggered PRSmay be used. For example, with the staggered signal, attempting toestimate a common phase difference from one symbol to another would beimpacted by phase ramp, i.e., delay. The phase ramp may be estimated andused to correct the measurements of PRS accordingly. In anotherimplementation, a PRS frame structure with a comb value of 1 may beused. With a comb-1 signal, no coherent phase combining is needed.Different cells measured in different symbols would have a phase errorcorresponding to the phase noise, but this would not impact the estimateof time-of-arrival.

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate one implementation of determining thepresence of phase noise by the UE 115 or base station 105 using a phaseramp of staggered symbols in the PRS frame structure. FIG. 7Aillustrates a comb 2, symbol 2 PRS frame structure that may be receivedby a UE or base station. The post-correlation phase estimate isillustrated by the number in each Resource Element (RE). For example,symbol 4 has a 0° phase in the first sub-carrier, a 2° phase in thethird sub-carrier, etc., while symbol 5 has a 230 phase in the secondsub-carrier, a 25° phase in the fourth sub-carrier, etc. The slope ofthe phase ramp for each symbol may be determined and used to determinethe phase offset between the symbols. Based on the phases shown in FIG.7A, symbols 4 and 5 both have phase ramp slopes of 2° per 2sub-carriers. The phase equation for symbol 4 may be:Phase(sub-carrier)=0+1*sub_carrier_index; while the phase equation ofsymbol 5 may be: Phase(sub-carrier)=22+1*sub_carrier_index. FIG. 7B, byway of example, is a graph illustrating the unwrapped phase relative tosub-carrier for symbol 4 with line 702 and symbol 5 with line 704. Theseparation between lines 702 and 704, e.g., arrow 706, illustrates thephase error between the symbol 4 and symbol 5 due to phase noise. Ifadditional symbols are used in the PRS frame structure, the phasedifference between each symbol relative to an anchor symbol, e.g.,symbol 4, may be similarly determined. The UE or base station may thusdetermine if phase noise is present. If the impact of phase noise islarge, e.g. greater in magnitude than a threshold of e.g. 5 degrees, theUE or base station may determine if correction of phase noise isrequired. The UE or base station may estimate the phase offset andcorrect it in the positioning measurements or may request that the basestation, e.g., transmit a new PRS signal with a different PRS framestructure, e.g., if estimating and correcting the phase offset iscomputationally costly and would take additional power.

The UE 115 or base station may report to the location server, e.g., LMF196 or E-SMLC 164, if it is determined that positioning measurements arelimited by phase noise, e.g., based on a determination using collectedpositioning measurements or based on the capabilities of the UE 115 orbase station 105. In some implementations, the UE 115 or base station105 may request a specific PRS frame structure, e.g., a comb value of 2or 1. In other implementations, the UE may request that a phase trackingreference signal (PTRS) is provided along with the PRS signals. The PTRSmay be used to estimate phase offset in the PRS signals, which can thenbe corrected accordingly. In some implementations, the PTRS may betransmitted without PRS signals by the base station 105 and the PTRSsignals are used for determining positioning measurements, as discussedabove. In another implementation, the PTRS may be transmitted within thePRS frame structure, e.g., a mix of staggered DL-PRS and unstaggeredPTRS.

FIG. 8A illustrates a slot configuration in which only PTRS istransmitted without PRS. PTRS may be used for positioning and for phasenoise estimation. The UE 115 or base station 105 may use the PTRS toestimate phase offset between symbols, e.g., with respect to an anchorsymbol. For example, the UE 115 or base station 105 may estimate phasenoise error of symbols 1-13 with respect to symbol 0, then correct thephase error of symbols based on that phase error estimate. Aftercorrection, the PTRS may be processed coherently to generate thepositioning measurement. While the PTRS is well suited for estimatingphase noise, the use of only PTRS may result in alias terms in the CERvector and, accordingly, ambiguities in the resulting positioningmeasurements. The ambiguities, however, may be resolved using externalconstraints or additional information obtained by the UE 115 or basestation 105.

FIG. 8B illustrates a comb 2, symbol 2 PRS frame structure that is a mixof staggered PRS and unstaggered PTRS, which may be used to estimate thephase offset in PRS signals, which can then be used to correct the phaseoffset. PRS are well suited for making positioning measurements (e.g. noalias/ambiguities), but less suited for estimating phase noise becausePRS signals are staggered. The use of a mix of staggered PRS andunstaggered PTRS is complementary for estimating phase noise and formaking positioning measurements, as it provides the benefit of PTRS forphase noise estimation and most of the benefit (less 1 sub-carrier perRB) of PRS for position measurements. As illustrated, the PTRS may beincluded unstaggered in the same symbol subframes as the DL-PRS, e.g.,symbol 4 and symbol 5, in one of the sub-carriers. A UE 115 or basestation 105 may estimate phase noise error of symbol 5 with respect tosymbol 4 by making observations on PTRS (one sub-carrier per RB), thencorrect the phase error of all sub-carriers of symbol 5 based on thatphase error estimate. After correction, a somewhat limited PRS (lacking1 sub-carrier per RB) may be processed coherently using both symbols togenerate the positioning measurement. For example, as illustrated inFIG. 8B, a phase error is present, illustrated by the difference in thenumbers in the REs of the different symbols of the PTRS. The PTRS symbol4 has an 11° phase, while symbol 5 has a 33° phase in the samesub-carrier. The phase error between symbol 5 and symbol 4 is thus,33°-11°=22. If additional symbols are used in the PRS frame structure,the phase difference between each symbol relative to an anchor symbol,e.g., symbol 4, may be similarly determined.

Once the phase offset is estimated, e.g., using the phase ramp discussedin FIGS. 7A and 7B or using PTRS discussed in FIG. 8B, the phase offsetin the PRS signals may be corrected and the DL-PRS processed coherentlyto generate positioning measurements. For example, the phase offsetbetween each symbol and the anchor symbol may be subtracted out of eachsymbol prior to coherently combining all the symbols for integration togenerate the positioning measurement.

FIG. 9 shows a signaling flow 900 that illustrates various messages sentbetween components of the communication network 100 depicted in FIGS. 1and 2, during a location session for performing positioning measurementsin a high frequency, e.g., mmWave band, network while reducing theeffects of phase noise. In signaling flow 900, the UE 115 may requestthat PTRS is provided by itself or along with the DL-PRS signals or thata specific PRS frame structure, e.g., a comb value of 2 or 1, which willreduce the impact of phase noise. The base station 105 may make asimilar request for UL-PRS signals from the UE 115. While the flowdiagram 900 is discussed, for ease of illustration, in relation to a 5GNR wireless access using gNBs 105, signaling flows similar to FIG. 9involving other types of high frequency networks and base stations willbe readily apparent to those with ordinary skill in the art. Locationserver 901 may be, e.g., LMF 196 for a 5G NR network, or an E-SMLC 164in LTE. Moreover, location server 901 may be located coincident with agNB, such as the serving gNB 105-a, or may be located remotely in thecore network, e.g., core network 160 or 190 shown in FIG. 1.Furthermore, in some embodiments, the UE 115 itself may be configured todetermine its location using, for example, assistance data provided toit. FIG. 9 illustrates implementations for several different positioningmethods that may be used separately or combined. For example, FIG. 9illustrates DL based positioning measurements, UL based positioningmeasurements and DL and UL based positioning measurements, any of whichmay be used. In the signaling flow 900, it is assumed that the UE 115and location server 901 communicate using the LPP positioning protocolreferred to earlier, although use of NPP or a combination of LPP and NPPor other future protocol, such as NRPPa, is also possible.

At stage 1, the location server 901 sends a Request TransmissionConfiguration message to the UE 115, e.g., to request transmissionconfiguration from the UE 115.

At stage 2, the UE 115 returns a Provide Transmission Configurationmessage to the location server 901 to provide a request that PTRS isprovided for positioning or that a mix of PTRS and DL-PRS signals areprovided for positioning. The transmission configuration mayadditionally or alternative include a request a specific PRS framestructure, e.g., a comb value of 2 or 1, which will reduce the impact ofphase noise. In some implementations, the transmission configuration maybe the configuration of the UL-PRS signals that will be transmitted bythe UE 115. In some implementations, the transmission configuration maybe the configuration of the DL-PRS signals that the UE 115 canaccommodate and the UL-PRS signals that will be transmitted by the UE115.

At stage 3, the location server 901 sends a Transmission Configurationmessage to the gNBs 105 that includes, e.g., an indication to transmitPTRS, a mix of PTRS with DL-PRS, or a specific PRS frame structurerequested at stage 2. The message may be part of a future NRPPaprotocol.

At stage 4, the location server 901 may send an LPP Provide AssistanceData message to the UE 115 to provide positioning assistance data toassist the UE 115 to acquire and measure the PRS signals and optionallydetermine a location from the PRS measurements.

At stage 5, the location server 901 sends an LPP Request LocationInformation message to the UE 115 to request the UE 115 to measure DLPRS transmission by the gNBs 105. For example, the location server 901may request measurements of RSTD if OTDOA is used. The location server901 may also indicate whether UE based positioning is requested wherebythe UE 115 determines its own location. In some implementations, thelocation server 901 may also include in the LPP Request LocationInformation message a request for location measurements for otherposition methods which do not use PRS (e.g. WiFi positioning or A-GNSSpositioning).

At stage 6, the gNBs 105 transmit PRS signals with the requested PTRS, amix of PTRS with DL-PRS, and/or requested PRS frame structure, e.g.,with a comb value of 2 or 1.

At stage 7, the UE 115 may acquire the PRS transmitted by the gNBs 105at stage 6 and perform the desired position measurements. The UE 115,for example, may measure TOA, RSTD, OTDOA, or AoD. If the DL PRS signalsare transmitted with the requested comb value, e.g., comb 2 or comb 1,the phase noise will have little impact on the position measurement andthe UE 115 may perform position measurements without need to estimateand correct the phase offset. If PTRS is transmitted by itself, the UE115 may use the PTRS for positioning after estimating and correcting thephase offset before generating the positioning measurements. If PTRS istransmitted with the DL PRS, the UE 115 may use the PTRS to estimate thephase offset between symbols in the PRS signals and then correct thephase offset before generating the positioning measurements using thecorrected PRS signals.

At stage 8, the UE 115 may transmit UL PRS signals, e.g., SRS, withPTRS, a mix of PTRS with UL-PRS, and/or requested PRS frame structure,e.g., with a comb value of 2 or 1.

At stage 9, the base stations 105 may acquire the PRS transmitted by theUE 115 at stage 8 and perform the desired position measurements. Thebase stations 105 for example, may measure UL-TDOA, UL AoA, or UL-RTOA.If the UL PRS signals are transmitted with the comb value of 2 or 1, thephase noise will have little impact on the position measurement and theUE base station 105 may perform position measurements without need toestimate and correct the phase offset. If PTRS is transmitted by itself,the base station 105 may use the PTRS for positioning after estimatingand correcting the phase offset before generating the positioningmeasurements. If PTRS is transmitted with the UL PRS, the base station105 may use the PTRS to estimate the phase offset between symbols in thePRS signals and then correct the phase offset before generating thepositioning measurements using the corrected PRS signals.

At stage 10, the base stations 105 send a Provide Location Informationmessage to the location server 901 and includes the PRS measurements(and any other measurements) obtained at stage 8. In someimplementations, e.g., where DL and UL based positioning methods areused, the base station may send the Provide Location Information messageto the UE 115, as illustrated with dotted lines.

At stage 11, if UE 115 based positioning was requested at stage 5, theUE 115 may determine its location based on the PRS measurements (and anyother measurements) obtained at stage 7 and the assistance data receivedat stage 4, and the Provide Location Information message from the basestation at stage 10, if used.

At stage 12, the UE 115 sends a Provide Location Information message tothe location server 901 and includes the PRS measurements (and any othermeasurements) obtained at stage 7 and/or the UE location obtained atstage 11.

At stage 13, the location server 901 determines the UE location based onany PRS measurements (and any other measurements) received at one ormore of stage 12, stage 10, or the combination of stage 12 and stage 10,or may verify a UE location received at stage 12.

FIG. 10 shows another signaling flow 1000 that illustrates variousmessages sent between components of the communication network 100depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2, during a location session for performingpositioning measurements in a high frequency, e.g., mmWave band, networkwhile reducing the effects of phase noise. In signaling flow 1000, theUE 115 may determine whether phase noise is present and may impact thepositioning measurement and in response requests that additional PRSsignals are transmitted with PTRS or with a specific PRS framestructure, e.g., a comb value of 2 or 1, which will reduce the impact ofphase noise. The base station 105 may make a similar request for UL-PRSsignals from the UE 115. While the flow diagram 1000 is discussed, forease of illustration, in relation to a 5G NR wireless access using gNBs105, signaling flows similar to FIG. 10 involving other types of highfrequency networks and base stations will be readily apparent to thosewith ordinary skill in the art. Location server 1001 may be, e.g., LMF196 for a 5G NR network, or an E-SMLC 164 in LTE. Moreover, locationserver 1001 may be located coincident with a gNB, such as the servinggNB 105-a, or may be located remotely in the core network, e.g., corenetwork 160 or 190 shown in FIG. 1. Furthermore, in some embodiments,the UE 115 itself may be configured to determine its location using, forexample, assistance data provided to it. FIG. 10 illustratesimplementations for several different positioning methods that may beused separately or combined. For example, FIG. 10 illustrates DL basedpositioning measurements, UL based positioning measurements and DL andUL based positioning measurements, any of which may be used. In thesignaling flow 1000, it is assumed that the UE 115 and location server1001 communicate using the LPP positioning protocol referred to earlier,although use of NPP or a combination of LPP and NPP or other futureprotocol, such as NRPPa, is also possible.

At stage 1, the location server 1001 sends a Request Capabilitiesmessage to the UE 115, e.g., to request the positioning capabilities ofthe UE 115.

At stage 2, the UE 115 returns a Provide Capabilities message to thelocation server 1001 to provide the positioning capabilities of the UE115. The positioning capabilities may include, e.g., the minimum numberof resource blocks required by the UE 115 for positioning measurementsor a desired positioning accuracy, which may be provided to the servingbase station 105-a.

At stage 3, the location server 1001 sends a Provide Capabilitiesmessage to the gNBs 105 that includes, e.g., the relevant informationprovided by UE 115 at stage 2.

At stage 4, the location server 1001 may send a Provide Assistance Datamessage to the UE 115 to provide positioning assistance data to assistthe UE 115 to acquire and measure the PRS signals and optionallydetermine a location from the PRS measurements.

At stage 5, the location server 1001 sends a Request LocationInformation message to the UE 115 to request the UE 115 to measure DLPRS transmission by the gNBs 105. For example, the location server 1001may request measurements of RSTD if OTDOA is used. The location server1001 may also indicate whether UE based positioning is requested wherebythe UE 115 determines its own location. In some implementations, thelocation server 1001 may also include in the Request LocationInformation message a request for location measurements for otherposition methods which do not use PRS (e.g. WiFi positioning or A-GNSSpositioning).

At stage 6a, the gNBs 105 transmit DL PRS signals.

At stage 6b, the UE 115 transmits UL PRS signals, e.g., SRS.

At stage 7a, the UE 115 may acquire the DL PRS transmitted by the gNBs105 at stage 6a and determine whether phase noise is present, e.g., asdiscussed in FIGS. 6A, 6B, 7A and 7B.

At stage 7b, the base stations 105 may acquire the UL PRS transmitted bythe UE 115 at stage 6b and determine whether phase noise is present,e.g., as discussed in FIGS. 6A, 6B, 7A and 7B.

At stage 8a, if it is determined that there is sufficient phase noise toimpact positioning measurements in stage 7a, the UE 115 may send aProvide Transmission Configuration message to the location server 1001to request that PTRS is provided for positioning or that a mix of PTRSand DL-PRS signals are provided for positioning. The transmissionconfiguration may additionally or alternatively include a request aspecific PRS frame structure, e.g., a comb value of 2 or 1, which willreduce the impact of phase noise.

At stage 8b, if it is determined that there is sufficient phase noise toimpact positioning measurements in stage 7b, one or more base stations105 may send a Provide Transmission Configuration message to thelocation server 1001 to request that PTRS is provided for positioning orthat a mix of PTRS and UL-PRS signals are provided for positioning. Thetransmission configuration may additionally or alternatively include arequest a specific PRS frame structure, e.g., a comb value of 2 or 1,which will reduce the impact of phase noise.

At stage 9a, the location server 1001 sends a Transmission Configurationmessage to the gNBs 105 that includes, e.g., an indication to transmitPTRS, a mix of PTRS with DL-PRS, or a specific PRS frame structurerequested at stage 8a.

At stage 9b, the location server 1001 sends a Transmission Configurationmessage to the UE 115 that includes, e.g., an indication to transmitPTRS, a mix of PTRS with UL-PRS, or a specific PRS frame structurerequested at stage 8b.

At stage 10a, the gNBs 105 transmit DL PRS signals with the requestedPTRS, a mix of PTRS with DL-PRS, and/or requested PRS frame structure,e.g., with a comb value of 2 or 1.

At stage 10b, the gNBs 105 transmit UL PRS signals, e.g., SRS, with therequested PTRS, a mix of PTRS with UL-PRS, and/or requested PRS framestructure, e.g., with a comb value of 2 or 1.

At stage 11a, the UE 115 may acquire the DL PRS transmitted by the gNBs105 at stage 10a and perform the desired position measurements. The UE115, for example, may measure obtain TOA, RSTD, OTDOA, or AoD. If the DLPRS signals are transmitted with the requested comb value, e.g., comb 2or comb 1, the phase noise will have little impact on the positionmeasurement and the UE 115 may perform position measurements withoutneed to estimate and correct the phase offset. If PTRS is transmittedwith the DL PRS, the UE 115 may use the PTRS to estimate the phaseoffset between symbols in the PRS signals and then correct the phaseoffset before generating the positioning measurements using thecorrected PRS signals.

At stage 11b, the base stations 105 may acquire the UL PRS transmittedby the UE 115 at stage 10b and perform the desired positionmeasurements. The base stations 105, for example, may measure UL-TDOA,UL AoA, or UL-RTOA. If the UL PRS signals are transmitted with the combvalue of 2 or 1, the phase noise will have little impact on the positionmeasurement and the UE base station 105 may perform positionmeasurements without need to estimate and correct the phase offset. IfPTRS is transmitted by itself, the base station 105 may use the PTRS forpositioning after estimating and correcting the phase offset beforegenerating the positioning measurements. If PTRS is transmitted with theUL PRS, the base station 105 may use the PTRS to estimate the phaseoffset between symbols in the PRS signals and then correct the phaseoffset before generating the positioning measurements using thecorrected PRS signals.

At stage 12, the base stations 105 send a Provide Location Informationmessage to the location server 1001 and includes the PRS measurements(and any other measurements) obtained at stage 11b. In someimplementations, e.g., where DL and UL based positioning methods areused, the base station may send the Provide Location Information messageto the UE 115, as illustrated with dotted lines.

At stage 13, if UE 115 based positioning was requested at stage 5, theUE 115 determines its location based on the PRS measurements (and anyother measurements) obtained at stage 11a and the assistance datareceived at stage 4, and the Provide Location Information message fromthe base station at stage 12, if used.

At stage 14, the UE 115 sends a Provide Location Information message tothe location server 1001 and includes the PRS measurements (and anyother measurements) obtained at stage 11a and/or the UE locationobtained at stage 13.

At stage 15, the location server 1001 determines the UE location basedon any PRS measurements (and any other measurements) received at one ormore of stage 14, stage 12, or the combination of stages 14 and 12, ormay verify a UE location received at stage 14.

FIG. 11 shows a signaling flow 1100 that illustrates various messagessent between components of the communication network 100 depicted inFIGS. 1 and 2, during a location session for performing positioningmeasurements in a high frequency, e.g., mmWave band, network whilereducing the effects of phase noise. In signaling flow 1100, the UE 115may use less than all symbols in DL PRS for positioning measurement inorder to reduce the impact of phase noise. The base station 105similarly use less than all symbols in UL PRS for positioningmeasurement in order to reduce the impact of phase noise. While the flowdiagram 1100 is discussed, for ease of illustration, in relation to a 5GNR wireless access using gNBs 105, signaling flows similar to FIG. 11involving other types of high frequency networks and base stations willbe readily apparent to those with ordinary skill in the art. Locationserver 1101 may be, e.g., LMF 196 for a 5G NR network, or an E-SMLC 164in LTE. Moreover, location server 1101 may be located coincident with agNB, such as the serving gNB 105-a, or may be located remotely in thecore network, e.g., core network 160 or 190 shown in FIG. 1.Furthermore, in some embodiments, the UE 115 itself may be configured todetermine its location using, for example, assistance data provided toit. FIG. 11 illustrates implementations for several differentpositioning methods that may be used separately or combined. Forexample, FIG. 11 illustrates DL based positioning measurements, UL basedpositioning measurements and DL and UL based positioning measurements,any of which may be used. In the signaling flow 1100, it is assumed thatthe UE 115 and location server 1101 communicate using the LPPpositioning protocol referred to earlier, although use of NPP or acombination of LPP and NPP or other future protocol, such as NRPPa, isalso possible.

At stage 1, the location server 1101 sends a Request Capabilitiesmessage to the UE 115, e.g., to request the positioning capabilities ofthe UE 115.

At stage 2, the UE 115 returns a Provide Capabilities message to thelocation server 1101 to provide the positioning capabilities of the UE115. The positioning capabilities may include, e.g., the minimum numberof resource blocks required by the UE 115 for positioning measurementsor a desired positioning accuracy, which may be provided to the servingbase station 105-a.

At stage 3, the location server 1101 sends a Provide Capabilitiesmessage to the gNBs 105 that includes, e.g., the relevant informationprovided by UE 115 at stage 2.

At stage 4, the location server 1101 may send a Provide Assistance Datamessage to the UE 115 to provide positioning assistance data to assistthe UE 115 to acquire and measure the PRS signals and optionallydetermine a location from the PRS measurements.

At stage 5, the location server 1101 sends a Request LocationInformation message to the UE 115 to request the UE 115 to measure DLPRS transmission by the gNBs 105. For example, the location server 1101may request measurements of RSTD if OTDOA is used. The location server1101 may also indicate whether UE based positioning is requested wherebythe UE 115 determines its own location. In some implementations, thelocation server 1101 may also include in the Request LocationInformation message a request for location measurements for otherposition methods which do not use PRS (e.g. WiFi positioning or A-GNSSpositioning).

At stage 6, the gNBs 105 transmit DL PRS signals.

At stage 7, the UE 115 may acquire the DL PRS transmitted by the gNBs105 at stage 6 and perform the desired position measurements using allof the symbols in the PRS frame structure. The UE 115, for example, maymeasure obtain TOA, RSTD, OTDOA, or AoD. The UE 115 may determinewhether phase noise is present, e.g., as discussed in FIGS. 6A, 6B, 7Aand 7B.

At stage 8, if it is determined that there is sufficient phase noise toimpact positioning measurements in stage 7, the UE 115 may perform thedesired position measurements using less than all of the symbols in thePRS frame structure. The UE 115, for example, may measure obtain TOA,RSTD, OTDOA, or AoD. Using less than all of the symbols in the PRS framestructure to generate position measurements reduces the impact of phasenoise.

At stage 9, the UE 115 may transmit UL-PRS signals, e.g., SRS.

At stage 10, the base stations 105 may acquire the PRS transmitted bythe UE 115 at stage 9 and perform the desired position measurements. Thebase stations 105 for example, may measure UL-TDOA, UL AoA, or UL-RTOA.The base stations 105 may determine whether phase noise is present,e.g., as discussed in FIGS. 6A, 6B, 7A and 7B.

At stage 11, if it is determined that there is sufficient phase noise toimpact positioning measurements in stage 10, the base stations 105 mayperform the desired position measurements using less than all of thesymbols in the PRS frame structure. The base stations, for example, maymeasure UL-TDOA, UL AoA, or UL-RTOA. Using less than all of the symbolsin the PRS frame structure to generate position measurements reduces theimpact of phase noise.

At stage 12, the base stations 105 send a Provide Location Informationmessage to the location server 1101 and includes the PRS measurements(and any other measurements) obtained at stage 11. In someimplementations, e.g., where DL and UL based positioning methods areused, the base station may send the Provide Location Information messageto the UE 115, as illustrated with dotted lines.

At stage 13, if UE 115 based positioning was requested at stage 5, theUE 115 determines its location based on the positioning measurements(and any other measurements) obtained at stage 8 and the assistance datareceived at stage 4, and the Provide Location Information message fromthe base station at stage 10, if used. In some implementations, theestimated position may further use the positioning measurementsgenerated at stage 7. For example, a first set of alias terms may befound in the positioning measurements generated using all of the symbolsin stage 7 and a second set of alias terms may be found in thepositioning measurements generated using less than all of the symbols instage 8. Alias terms that are not common to both the first set andsecond set of alias terms maybe rejected during estimation of theposition of the UE 115.

At stage 14, the UE 115 sends a Provide Location Information message tothe location server 1101 and includes the positioning measurements (andany other measurements) obtained at stage 8 and optionally at stage 7and/or the UE location obtained at stage 13.

At stage 15, the location server 1101 determines the UE location basedon any positioning measurements (and any other measurements) received atone or more of stage 14, stage 12, or the combination of stage 14 andstage 12 or may verify a UE location received at stage 14. In someimplementations, the estimated position may use the positioningmeasurements generated at stages 7 and 8, stage 10 and 11, or stages 7,8, 10, and 11. For example, a first set of alias terms may be found inthe positioning measurements generated using all of the symbols in stage7 and a second set of alias terms may be found in the positioningmeasurements generated using less than all of the symbols in stage 8.Alias terms that are not common to both the first set and second set ofalias terms maybe rejected during estimation of the position of the UE115.

FIG. 12 shows a signaling flow 1200 that illustrates various messagessent between components of the communication network 100 depicted inFIGS. 1 and 2, during a location session for performing positioningmeasurements in a high frequency, e.g., mmWave band, network whilereducing the effects of phase noise. In signaling flow 1200, the UE 115may estimate and correct phase noise in the DL PRS transmissions. Thebase station 105 may similarly estimate and correct phase noise in ULPRS transmissions. While the flow diagram 1200 is discussed, for ease ofillustration, in relation to a 5G NR wireless access using gNBs 105,signaling flows similar to FIG. 12 involving other types of highfrequency networks and base stations will be readily apparent to thosewith ordinary skill in the art. Location server 101 may be, e.g., LMF196 for a 5G NR network, or an E-SMLC 164 in LTE. Moreover, locationserver 1201 may be located coincident with a gNB, such as the servinggNB 105-a, or may be located remotely in the core network, e.g., corenetwork 160 or 190 shown in FIG. 1. Furthermore, in some embodiments,the UE 115 itself may be configured to determine its location using, forexample, assistance data provided to it. FIG. 12 illustratesimplementations for several different positioning methods that may beused separately or combined. For example, FIG. 12 illustrates DL basedpositioning measurements, UL based positioning measurements and DL andUL based positioning measurements. In the signaling flow 1200, it isassumed that the UE 115 and location server 1201 communicate using theLPP positioning protocol referred to earlier, although use of NPP or acombination of LPP and NPP or other future protocol, such as NRPPa, isalso possible.

At stage 1, the location server 1201 sends a Request Capabilitiesmessage to the UE 115, e.g., to request the positioning capabilities ofthe UE 115.

At stage 2, the UE 115 returns a Provide Capabilities message to thelocation server 1201 to provide the positioning capabilities of the UE115. The positioning capabilities may include, e.g., the minimum numberof resource blocks required by the UE 115 for positioning measurementsor a desired positioning accuracy, which may be provided to the servingbase station 105-a.

At stage 3, the location server 1201 sends a Provide Capabilitiesmessage to the gNBs 105 that includes, e.g., the relevant informationprovided by UE 115 at stage 2.

At stage 4, the location server 1201 may send a Provide Assistance Datamessage to the UE 115 to provide positioning assistance data to assistthe UE 115 to acquire and measure the PRS signals and optionallydetermine a location from the PRS measurements.

At stage 5, the location server 1201 sends a Request LocationInformation message to the UE 115 to request the UE 115 to measure DLPRS transmission by the gNBs 105. For example, the location server 1201may request measurements of RSTD if OTDOA is used. The location server1201 may also indicate whether UE based positioning is requested wherebythe UE 115 determines its own location. In some implementations, thelocation server 1201 may also include in the Request LocationInformation message a request for location measurements for otherposition methods which do not use PRS (e.g. WiFi positioning or A-GNSSpositioning).

At stage 6, the gNBs 105 transmit DL PRS signals.

At stage 7, the UE 115 may acquire the DL PRS transmitted by the gNBs105 at stage 6 and estimate and correct the phase noise, e.g., asdiscussed in FIGS. 6A, 6B, 7A and 7B. In some implementations, PTRS maybe transmitted with the PRS transmission in stage 6 and the phase noisemay be estimated using PTRS, e.g., as discussed in FIGS. 8A and 8B.Thus, the UE 115 may estimate the phase offset between symbols in thePRS signals and then correct the phase offset of each symbol.

At stage 8, the UE 115 may generate the desired position measurementsusing the corrected PRS signals. The UE 115, for example, may measureTOA, RSTD, OTDOA, or AoD.

At stage 9, the UE 115 may transmit UL-PRS signals, e.g., SRS.

At stage 10, the base stations 105 may acquire the UL PRS transmitted bythe UE 115 at stage 9 and estimate and correct the phase noise, e.g., asdiscussed in FIGS. 6A, 6B, 7A and 7B. In some implementations, PTRS maybe transmitted with the PRS transmission in stage 9 and the phase noisemay be estimated using PTRS, e.g., as discussed in FIGS. 8A and 8B.Thus, the UE 115 may estimate the phase offset between symbols in thePRS signals and then correct the phase offset of each symbol.

At stage 11, the base stations 105 may generate the desired positionmeasurements using the corrected PRS signals. The base stations 105, forexample, may measure UL-TDOA, UL AoA, or UL-RTOA.

At stage 12, the base stations 105 send a Provide Location Informationmessage to the location server 1201 and includes the PRS measurements(and any other measurements) obtained at stage 11. In someimplementations, e.g., where DL and UL based positioning methods areused, the base station may send the Provide Location Information messageto the UE 115, as illustrated with dotted lines.

At stage 13, if UE 115 based positioning was requested at stage 5, theUE 115 determines its location based on the PRS measurements (and anyother measurements) obtained at stage 7 and the assistance data receivedat stage 4, and the Provide Location Information message from the basestation at stage 10, if used.

At stage 14, the UE 115 sends a Provide Location Information message tothe location server 1201 and includes the PRS measurements (and anyother measurements) obtained at stage 8 and/or the UE location obtainedat stage 13.

At stage 15, the location server 1201 determines the UE location basedon any PRS measurements (and any other measurements) received at one ormore of stage 12, stage 14, or both stage 12 and 14, or may verify a UElocation received at stage 14.

FIG. 13 shows a flowchart for an exemplary method 1300 for estimating aposition of a mobile device performed by an entity in a wirelessnetwork, such as a mobile device (e.g., UE 115) or a base station (e.g.,gNB 105) in a manner consistent with disclosed embodiments.

At block 1302, the mobile device receives reference symbols transmittedby one or more second entities in the wireless network, e.g., asdiscussed at stage 6 of FIG. 9 or stage 10 of FIG. 10, and FIGS. 8A and8B. At block 1304, the mobile device estimates phase offsets betweeneach symbol relative to an anchor symbol in the reference symbolsresulting from clock changes, e.g., as discussed at stage 7 of FIG. 9 orstage 11 of FIG. 10, and FIGS. 8A and 8B. At block 1306, positioningmeasurements using the phase offsets in the reference symbols aregenerated for estimating the position of the mobile device, e.g., asdiscussed at stage 7 of FIG. 9 or stage 11 of FIG. 10, and FIGS. 8A and8B.

In some implementations, the reference signals may be phase trackingreference symbols.

In some implementations, generating positioning measurements using thephase offsets in the reference symbols includes correcting the phaseoffset between each symbol in the reference symbols based on theestimated phase offsets in the reference symbols, e.g., as discussed atstage 7 of FIG. 9 or stage 11 of FIG. 10, and FIG. 8A. Positioningmeasurements are generated using the corrected reference symbols forestimating the position of the mobile device, e.g., as discussed atstage 7 of FIG. 9 or stage 11 of FIG. 10, and FIG. 8A.

In some implementations, the reference symbols are transmitted within aframe structure for the positioning reference signals, e.g., asillustrated in FIGS. 8A and 8B.

In some implementations, the method may further include receivingpositioning reference signals with the reference symbols, thepositioning reference signals comprising a plurality of symbols whereeach symbol is comprised of a plurality of sub-carriers, e.g., asdiscussed at stage 6 of FIG. 9 or stage 10 of FIG. 10, and FIGS. 8A and8B. For example, in some implementations, generating positioningmeasurements using the phase offsets in the reference symbols includescorrecting the phase offset between each symbol in the positioningreference signals based on the estimated phase offsets in the referencesymbols, e.g., as discussed at stage 7 of FIG. 9 or stage 11 of FIG. 10,and FIG. 8B. Positioning measurements may be generated using thecorrected positioning reference signals for estimating the position ofthe mobile device, e.g., as discussed at stage 7 of FIG. 9 or stage 11of FIG. 10, and FIG. 8B.

In some implementations, the mobile device may request that thereference symbols are transmitted for positioning, e.g., as discussed atstage 2 of FIG. 9 or stage 8 of FIG. 10. In some implementations, themobile device may receive positioning reference signals withoutreference symbols from the base station, e.g., as discussed at stage 6of FIG. 10. The mobile device may determine a presence of phase noise inthe received positioning reference signals without reference symbols,e.g., as discussed at stage 7 of FIG. 10. Requesting that the referencesymbols are transmitted for positioning may be in response to thepresence of the phase noise, e.g., as discussed at stage 8 of FIG. 10.

In some implementations, the phase offset may be estimated bydetermining a phase of each symbol in the reference symbols, anddetermining the phase offset between each symbol relative to an anchorsymbol in the reference symbol based on the phase of the each symbol inthe reference symbols, e.g., as discussed in reference to FIGS. 8A and8B.

In some implementations, the entity is the mobile device, and the one ormore second entities are one or more base stations. The method mayfurther include estimating the position of the mobile device using thepositioning measurements, e.g., as discussed at stage 11 in FIG. 9 andstage 13 in FIGS. 10-12.

In some implementations, the method may further include sending thepositioning measurements to a location server for estimating theposition of the mobile device, e.g., as discussed at stages 10 or 12 inFIG. 9 and stages 12 or 14 in FIGS. 10-12.

In some implementations, the entity is a base station, and the one ormore second entities is the mobile device.

FIG. 14 shows a flowchart for an exemplary method 1400 for estimating aposition of a mobile device performed by an entity in a wirelessnetwork, such as a mobile device (e.g., UE 115) or a base station (e.g.,gNB 105) in a manner consistent with disclosed embodiments.

At block 1402, the mobile device establishes a positioning sessionbetween the mobile device and a base station in the wireless network,e.g., as discussed stages 1 and 2 of FIG. 9 or stages 1 and 2 of FIG.10. At block 1404, the mobile device requests that positioning referencesignals are transmitted with a comb value, e.g., as discussed at stage 2of FIG. 9 or stage 8 of FIG. 10. At block 1406, positioning referencesignals with the comb value are received from a second entity in thewireless network, e.g., as discussed at stage 6 of FIG. 9 or stage 10 ofFIG. 10. At block 1408, positioning measurements are generated using thepositioning reference signals with the comb value for estimating theposition of the mobile device, e.g., as discussed at stage 7 of FIG. 9or stage 11 of FIG. 10.

In one implementation, the positioning reference signals with the combvalue received from the second entity are a second set of positioningreference signals with a second comb value, e.g., as illustrated atstage 6 and 8 of FIG. 10. The mobile device receives a first set ofpositioning reference signals from the second entity before requestingthe second set positioning reference signals are transmitted with thesecond comb value, the first set of positioning reference signals havinga first comb value that is larger than the second comb value, e.g., asdiscussed at stage 6 of FIG. 10. The mobile device determines a presenceof phase noise in the first set of positioning reference signals withthe first comb value, e.g., as discussed at stage 7 of FIG. 10.Requesting the second set of positioning reference signals aretransmitted with the second comb value is in response to the presence ofthe phase noise in the first set of positioning reference signals withthe first comb value, e.g., as discussed at stage 8 of FIG. 10.

In some implementations, the comb value is comb-2 or smaller, e.g., asdiscussed at stage 6 of FIG. 9 or stage 10 of FIG. 10.

In some implementations, the entity is the mobile device, and the secondentity is the base station. The method may further include estimatingthe position of the mobile device using the positioning measurements,e.g., as discussed at stage 11 in FIG. 9 and stage 13 in FIGS. 10-12.

In some implementations, the method may further include sending thepositioning measurements to a location server for estimating theposition of the mobile device, e.g., as discussed at stages 10 or 12 inFIG. 9 and stages 12 or 14 in FIGS. 10-12.

In some implementations, the entity is the base station, and the secondentity is the mobile device.

FIG. 15 shows a flowchart for an exemplary method 1500 for estimating aposition of a mobile device performed by an entity in a wirelessnetwork, such as a mobile device (e.g., UE 115) or a base station (e.g.,gNB 105) in a manner consistent with disclosed embodiments.

At block 1502, the mobile device receives positioning reference signalscomprising a plurality of symbols where each symbol is comprised of aplurality of sub-carriers from a second entity in the wireless network,e.g., as discussed at stage 6 of FIG. 11. At stage 1504, the mobiledevice generates positioning measurements using less than all of theplurality of symbols in the positioning reference signals for estimatingthe position of the mobile device, e.g., as discussed at stage 8 of FIG.11.

In some implementations, the mobile device determines a presence ofphase noise in the received positioning reference signals using all ofthe plurality of symbols, e.g., as discussed at stage 7 of FIG. 11. Thepositioning measurements may be generated using less than all of theplurality of symbols in response to the presence of the phase noise,e.g., as discussed at stage 8 of FIG. 11. For example, the presence ofphase noise in the received positioning reference signals may bedetermined using all of the plurality of symbols by generatingpositioning measurements using all of the plurality of symbols in thepositioning reference signals, e.g., as discussed at stage 7 of FIG. 11.Phase nose may be detected in the positioning measurements using all ofthe plurality of symbols, e.g., as discussed at stage 7 of FIG. 11. Theprocess may further include using the positioning measurements generatedusing all of the plurality of symbols in the positioning referencesignals to generate the positioning measurements using less than all ofthe plurality of symbols in the positioning reference signals forestimating the position of the mobile device, e.g., as discussed atstage 9 of FIG. 11. For example, the mobile device may find a first setof alias terms in the positioning measurements generated using all ofthe plurality of symbols in the positioning reference signals, find asecond set of alias terms in the positioning measurements generatedusing less than all of the plurality of symbols, and reject alias termsthat are not common to the first set and the second set duringestimating the position of the mobile device, e.g., as discussed atstage 9 of FIG. 11.

In some implementations, the entity is the mobile device, and the secondentity is a base station. The method may further include estimating theposition of the mobile device using the positioning measurements, e.g.,as discussed at stage 11 in FIG. 9 and stage 13 in FIGS. 10-12.

In some implementations, the method may further include sending thepositioning measurements to a location server for estimating theposition of the mobile device, e.g., as discussed at stages 10 or 12 inFIG. 9 and stages 12 or 14 in FIGS. 10-12.

In some implementations, the entity is a base station, and the secondentity is the mobile device.

FIG. 16 shows a flowchart for an exemplary method 1600 for estimating aposition of a mobile device performed by an entity in a wirelessnetwork, such as a mobile device (e.g., UE 115) or a base station (e.g.,gNB 105) in a manner consistent with disclosed embodiments.

At block 1602, the mobile device receives positioning reference signalscomprising a plurality of symbols where each symbol is comprised of aplurality of sub-carriers from a second entity in the wireless network,the plurality of symbols being staggered, e.g., as discussed at stage 6of FIG. 9, stage 10 of FIG. 10, and stage 6 of FIG. 12. At block 1604,the mobile device determines a phase offset between each symbol relativeto an anchor symbol, e.g., as discussed at stage 7 of FIG. 9, stage 11of FIG. 10, and stage 7 of FIG. 12. At block 1606, the mobile deviceremoves phase offset from each symbol, e.g., as discussed at stage 7 ofFIG. 9, stage 11 of FIG. 10, and stage 7 of FIG. 12. At block 1608, themobile device generates positioning measurements using the plurality ofstaggered symbols with removed phase offset for estimating the positionof the mobile device, e.g., as discussed at stage 7 of FIG. 9, stage 11of FIG. 10, and stage 8 of FIG. 12.

In one implementation, determining the phase offset between each symbolrelative to the anchor symbol includes receiving reference symbols withthe positioning reference signals, e.g., as discussed at stage 6 of FIG.9, stage 10 of FIG. 10, and stage 6 of FIG. 12. The phase of thereference symbols is determined, e.g., as discussed at stage 7 of FIG.9, stage 11 of FIG. 10, and stage 7 of FIG. 12. The phase offset betweeneach symbol relative to the anchor symbol is determined based on thephase of the reference symbols, e.g., as discussed at stage 7 of FIG. 9,stage 11 of FIG. 10, and stage 7 of FIG. 12. For example, the referencesignals may be phase tracking reference symbols.

In one implementation, determining the phase offset between each symbolrelative to the anchor symbol includes determining for each symbol aphase ramp between sub-carriers, e.g., as discussed at FIGS. 7A and 7Band stage 7 of FIG. 12. The phase offset between each symbol relative tothe anchor symbol is determined based on the phase ramp, e.g., asdiscussed at FIGS. 7A and 7B and stage 7 of FIG. 12.

In one implementation, the entity is the mobile device, and the secondentity is a base station. The method may further include estimating theposition of the mobile device using the positioning measurements, e.g.,as discussed at stage 11 in FIG. 9 and stage 13 in FIGS. 10-12.

In some implementations, the method may further include sending thepositioning measurements to a location server for estimating theposition of the mobile device, e.g., as discussed at stages 10 or 12 inFIG. 9 and stages 12 or 14 in FIGS. 10-12.

In some implementation, the entity is a base station, and the secondentity is the mobile device.

FIG. 17 shows a schematic block diagram illustrating certain exemplaryfeatures of a mobile device, e.g., UE 115, enabled to supportimprovement of positioning accuracy in the presence of phase noise inhigh frequency radio network, such as in 5G NR operating in mmWave bandsin a manner consistent with disclosed embodiments. Mobile device 115may, for example, include one or more processors 1702, memory 1704, atransceiver 1710 (e.g., wireless network interface), and (as applicable)an SPS receiver 1740, which may be operatively coupled with one or moreconnections 1706 (e.g., buses, lines, fibers, links, etc.) tonon-transitory computer readable medium 1720 and memory 1704. The mobiledevice 115 may further include additional items, which are not shown,such as a user interface that may include e.g., a display, a keypad orother input device, such as virtual keypad on the display, through whicha user may interface with the mobile device. In certain exampleimplementations, all or part of mobile device 115 may take the form of achipset, and/or the like. The SPS receiver 1740 may be enabled toreceive signals associated with one or more SPS resources. Transceiver1710 may, for example, include a transmitter 1712 enabled to transmitone or more signals over one or more types of wireless communicationnetworks and a receiver 1714 to receive one or more signals transmittedover the one or more types of wireless communication networks.

In some embodiments, mobile device 115 may include antennas 1711 and1741, which may be internal or external. Mobile device antennas 1711 and1741 may be used to transmit and/or receive signals processed bytransceiver 1710 and SPS receiver 1740, respectively. In someembodiments, mobile device antennas 1711, and 1741 may be coupled totransceiver 1710 and SPS receiver 1740. In some embodiments,measurements of signals received (transmitted) by mobile device 115 maybe performed at the point of connection of the mobile device antenna1711 and transceiver 1710. For example, the measurement point ofreference for received (transmitted) RF signal measurements may be aninput (output) terminal of the receiver 1714 (transmitter 1712) and anoutput (input) terminal of the mobile device antennas 1711. In a mobiledevice 115 with multiple mobile device antennas 1711 or antenna arrays,the antenna connector may be viewed as a virtual point representing theaggregate output (input) of multiple mobile device antennas. In someembodiments, mobile device 115 may measure received signals includingsignal strength and TOA measurements and the raw measurements may beprocessed by the one or more processors 1702. In some embodiments, theantennas 1711 and 1741 may be combined.

The one or more processors 1702 may be implemented using a combinationof hardware, firmware, and software. For example, the one or moreprocessors 1702 may be configured to perform the functions discussedherein by implementing one or more instructions or program code 1708 ona non-transitory computer readable medium, such as medium 1720 and/ormemory 1704. In some embodiments, the one or more processors 1702 mayrepresent one or more circuits configurable to perform at least aportion of a data signal computing procedure or process related to theoperation of mobile device 115.

The medium 1720 and/or memory 1704 may store instructions or programcode 1708 that contain executable code or software instructions thatwhen executed by the one or more processors 1702 cause the one or moreprocessors 1702 to operate as a special purpose computer programmed toperform the techniques disclosed herein. As illustrated in mobile device115, the medium 1720 and/or memory 1704 may include one or morecomponents or modules that may be implemented by the one or moreprocessors 1702 to perform the methodologies described herein. While thecomponents or modules are illustrated as software in medium 1720 that isexecutable by the one or more processors 1702, it should be understoodthat the components or modules may be stored in memory 1704 or may bededicated hardware either in the one or more processors 1702 or off theprocessors.

A number of software modules and data tables may reside in the medium1720 and/or memory 1704 and be utilized by the one or more processors1702 in order to manage both communications and the functionalitydescribed herein. It should be appreciated that the organization of thecontents of the medium 1720 and/or memory 1704 as shown in mobile device115 is merely exemplary, and as such the functionality of the modulesand/or data structures may be combined, separated, and/or be structuredin different ways depending upon the implementation of the mobile device115.

The medium 1720 and/or memory 1704 may include a PRS positioning unit1721 that that when implemented by the one or more processors 1702configures the one or more processors 1702 to perform positioningmeasurements from PRS signals received from one or more base stationse.g., via transceiver 1710.

The medium 1720 and/or memory 1704 may include a PTRS positioning unit1722 that that when implemented by the one or more processors 1702configures the one or more processors 1702 to perform positioningmeasurements from PTRS signals received from one or more base stationse.g., via transceiver 1710. The PTRS positioning unit 1722 may furtherconfigure the one or more processors 1702 to request PTRS forpositioning, e.g., via transceiver 1710, if phase noise is detected inDL PRS. Additionally, the PTRS positioning unit 1722 may furtherconfigure the one or more processors 1702 to transmit PTRS forpositioning in UL PRS, e.g., via transceiver 1710.

The medium 1720 and/or memory 1704 may include an PTRS and PRSpositioning unit 1724 that that when implemented by the one or moreprocessors 1702 configures the one or more processors 1702 to performpositioning measurements from PTRS and PRS signals received from one ormore base stations e.g., via transceiver 1710. The PTRS and PRSpositioning unit 1724 may further configure the one or more processors1702 to request PTRS and PRS for positioning, e.g., via transceiver1710, if phase noise is detected in DL PRS. Additionally, the PTRS andPRS positioning unit 1724 may further configure the one or moreprocessors 1702 to transmit PTRS and PRS, e.g., SRS, for positioning inUL PRS, e.g., via transceiver 1710.

The medium 1720 and/or memory 1704 may include a comb request unit 1726that that when implemented by the one or more processors 1702 configuresthe one or more processors 1702 to perform positioning measurements fromPRS signals received from one or more base stations using a specific PRSframe structure, such as comb 2 or comb 1, e.g., via transceiver 1710.The comb request unit 1726 may further configure the one or moreprocessors 1702 to request a specific PRS frame structure, such as comb2 or comb 1, for positioning, e.g., via transceiver 1710, if phase noiseis detected in DL PRS. Additionally, the comb request unit 1726 mayfurther configure the one or more processors 1702 to transmit a specificframe structure, such as comb 2 or comb 1, for positioning in UL PRS,e.g., via transceiver 1710.

The medium 1720 and/or memory 1704 may include a detect phase noise unit1728 that that when implemented by the one or more processors 1702configures the one or more processors 1702 to determine if sufficientphase noise is present in received PRS signals to impact positioningmeasurements, e.g., as discussed in FIGS. 6A, 6B, 7A and 7B and FIGS. 10and 11.

The medium 1720 and/or memory 1704 may include an estimate and correctphase noise unit 1730 that that when implemented by the one or moreprocessors 1702 configures the one or more processors 1702 to estimatethe phase noise present in received PRS signals and to correct thesignals for phase noise, e.g., as discussed in FIGS. 6A, 6B, 7A, 7B, 8A,and 8B, and FIG. 12.

The medium 1720 and/or memory 1704 may include a position measurementsunit 1732 that that when implemented by the one or more processors 1702configures the one or more processors 1702 to generate positionmeasurements using the received PRS signals. In some implementations,the position measurements unit 1732 may configure the one or moreprocessors 1702 to generate position measurements using less than allsymbols in the PRS signals. For example, the position measurements maybe time of arrival (TOA) measurements of signals from the reference celland one or more neighbor cells or may be DL Time Difference of Arrival(DL-TDOA), DL Angle of Departure (DL AoD), Enhanced Cell ID (ECID), orRx-Tx measurements.

The medium 1720 and/or memory 1704 may include a positioningdetermination unit 1734 that that when implemented by the one or moreprocessors 1702 configures the one or more processors 1702 to estimatethe position of the UE 115 using the position measurements generatedusing the position measurements unit 1732, and in some implementations,with position measurements received from base stations.

The medium 1720 and/or memory 1704 may include a location informationreport unit 1736 that that when implemented by the one or moreprocessors 1702 configures the one or more processors 1702 to transmit,e.g., via transceiver 1710, location information, such as positionmeasurements and/or estimate of position to a location server.

The methodologies described herein may be implemented by various meansdepending upon the application. For example, these methodologies may beimplemented in hardware, firmware, software, or any combination thereof.For a hardware implementation, the one or more processors 1702 may beimplemented within one or more application specific integrated circuits(ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processingdevices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmablegate arrays (FPGAs), processors, controllers, micro-controllers,microprocessors, electronic devices, other electronic units designed toperform the functions described herein, or a combination thereof.

For a firmware and/or software implementation, the methodologies may beimplemented with modules (e.g., procedures, functions, and so on) thatperform the functions described herein. Any machine readable mediumtangibly embodying instructions may be used in implementing themethodologies described herein. For example, software codes may bestored in a non-transitory computer readable medium 1720 or memory 1704that is connected to and executed by the one or more processors 1702.Memory may be implemented within the one or more processors or externalto the one or more processors. As used herein the term “memory” refersto any type of long term, short term, volatile, nonvolatile, or othermemory and is not to be limited to any particular type of memory ornumber of memories, or type of media upon which memory is stored.

If implemented in firmware and/or software, the functions may be storedas one or more instructions or program code 1708 on a non-transitorycomputer readable medium, such as medium 1720 and/or memory 1704.Examples include computer readable media encoded with a data structureand computer readable media encoded with a computer program 1708. Forexample, the non-transitory computer readable medium including programcode 1708 stored thereon may include program code 1708 to support OTDOAmeasurements in a manner consistent with disclosed embodiments.Non-transitory computer readable medium 1720 includes physical computerstorage media. A storage medium may be any available medium that can beaccessed by a computer. By way of example, and not limitation, suchnon-transitory computer readable media can comprise RAM, ROM, EEPROM,CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or othermagnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to storedesired program code 1708 in the form of instructions or data structuresand that can be accessed by a computer; disk and disc, as used herein,includes compact disc (CD), laser disc, optical disc, digital versatiledisc (DVD), floppy disk and blu-ray disc where disks usually reproducedata magnetically, while discs reproduce data optically with lasers.Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope ofcomputer readable media.

In addition to storage on computer readable medium 1720, instructionsand/or data may be provided as signals on transmission media included ina communication apparatus. For example, a communication apparatus mayinclude a transceiver 1710 having signals indicative of instructions anddata. The instructions and data are configured to cause one or moreprocessors to implement the functions outlined in the claims. That is,the communication apparatus includes transmission media with signalsindicative of information to perform disclosed functions.

Memory 1704 may represent any data storage mechanism. Memory 1704 mayinclude, for example, a primary memory and/or a secondary memory.Primary memory may include, for example, a random access memory, readonly memory, etc. While illustrated in this example as being separatefrom one or more processors 1702, it should be understood that all orpart of a primary memory may be provided within or otherwiseco-located/coupled with the one or more processors 1702. Secondarymemory may include, for example, the same or similar type of memory asprimary memory and/or one or more data storage devices or systems, suchas, for example, a disk drive, an optical disc drive, a tape drive, asolid state memory drive, etc.

In certain implementations, secondary memory may be operativelyreceptive of, or otherwise configurable to couple to a non-transitorycomputer readable medium 1720. As such, in certain exampleimplementations, the methods and/or apparatuses presented herein maytake the form in whole or part of a computer readable medium 1720 thatmay include computer implementable code 1708 stored thereon, which ifexecuted by at least one processors 1702 may be operatively enabled toperform all or portions of the example operations as described herein.Computer readable medium 1720 may be a part of memory 1704.

An entity in a wireless network capable of estimating a position of amobile device, such as UE 115, may include means for receiving referencesymbols for positioning transmitted by one or more second entities inthe wireless network, which may be, e.g., the wireless transceiver 1710and antenna array 1711 and one or more processors 1702 with dedicatedhardware or implementing executable code or software instructions inmedium 1720 and/or memory 1704 such as the PTRS positioning unit 1722.Means for estimating phase offsets between each symbol relative to ananchor symbol in the reference symbols resulting from clock changes maybe, e.g., one or more processors 1702 with dedicated hardware orimplementing executable code or software instructions in medium 1720and/or memory 1704 such as the estimate and correct phase noise unit1730. Means for generating positioning measurements using the phaseoffsets in the reference symbols for estimating the position of themobile device may be, e.g., one or more processors 1702 with dedicatedhardware or implementing executable code or software instructions inmedium 1720 and/or memory 1704 such as the position measurements unit1732.

In one implementation, the means for generating positioning measurementsusing the phase offsets in the reference symbols may include means forcorrecting the phase offset between each symbol in the reference symbolsbased on the estimated phase offsets in the reference symbols, which maybe, e.g., one or more processors 1702 with dedicated hardware orimplementing executable code or software instructions in medium 1720and/or memory 1704 such as the estimate and correct phase noise unit1730. Means for generating positioning measurements using the correctedreference symbols for estimating the position of the mobile device maybe, e.g., one or more processors 1702 with dedicated hardware orimplementing executable code or software instructions in medium 1720and/or memory 1704 such as the position measurements unit 1732.

In one implementation, the entity may include means for receivingpositioning reference signals with the reference symbols, thepositioning reference signals comprising a plurality of symbols whereeach symbol is comprised of a plurality of sub-carriers, which may be,e.g., the wireless transceiver 1710 and antenna array 1711 and one ormore processors 1702 with dedicated hardware or implementing executablecode or software instructions in medium 1720 and/or memory 1704 such asthe PTRS & PRS positioning unit 1724. The means for generatingpositioning measurements using the phase offsets in the referencesymbols may include means for correcting the phase offset between eachsymbol in the positioning reference signals based on the estimated phaseoffsets in the reference symbols, which may be, e.g., one or moreprocessors 1702 with dedicated hardware or implementing executable codeor software instructions in medium 1720 and/or memory 1704 such as theestimate and correct phase noise unit 1730. Means for generatingpositioning measurements using the corrected positioning referencesignals for estimating the position of the mobile device may be, e.g.,one or more processors 1702 with dedicated hardware or implementingexecutable code or software instructions in medium 1720 and/or memory1704 such as the position measurements unit 1732.

In one implementation, the entity may further include means forrequesting that the reference symbols are transmitted for positioning,which may be, e.g., the wireless transceiver 1710 and antenna array 1711and one or more processors 1702 with dedicated hardware or implementingexecutable code or software instructions in medium 1720 and/or memory1704 such as the PTRS positioning unit 1722. In one implementation, theentity further includes means for receiving positioning referencesignals without reference symbols from the one or more second entitiesin the wireless network, which may be, e.g., the wireless transceiver1710 and antenna array 1711 and one or more processors 1702 withdedicated hardware or implementing executable code or softwareinstructions in medium 1720 and/or memory 1704 such as the PRSpositioning unit 1721. Means for determining a presence of phase noisein the received positioning reference signals without reference symbolsmay be, e.g., one or more processors 1702 with dedicated hardware orimplementing executable code or software instructions in medium 1720and/or memory 1704 such as the detect phase noise unit 1728.

In one implementation, the means for estimating the phase offset mayinclude means for determining a phase of each symbol in the referencesymbols, which may be, e.g., one or more processors 1702 with dedicatedhardware or implementing executable code or software instructions inmedium 1720 and/or memory 1704 such as the estimate and correct phasenoise unit 1730. Means for determining the phase offset between eachsymbol relative to the anchor symbol in the reference symbols based onthe phase of the each symbol in the reference symbols may be, e.g., oneor more processors 1702 with dedicated hardware or implementingexecutable code or software instructions in medium 1720 and/or memory1704 such as the estimate and correct phase noise unit 1730.

An entity in a wireless network capable of estimating a position of amobile device, such as UE 115, may include means for establishing apositioning session between the mobile device and a base station in thewireless network, which may be, e.g., the wireless transceiver 1710 andantenna array 1711 and one or more processors 1702 with dedicatedhardware or implementing executable code or software instructions inmedium 1720 and/or memory 1704. Means for requesting positioningreference signals are transmitted with a comb value may be, e.g., thewireless transceiver 1710 and antenna array 1711 and one or moreprocessors 1702 with dedicated hardware or implementing executable codeor software instructions in medium 1720 and/or memory 1704, such as thecomb request unit 1726. Means for means for receiving positioningreference signals with the comb value from a second entity in thewireless network may be, e.g., the wireless transceiver 1710 and antennaarray 1711 and one or more processors 1702 with dedicated hardware orimplementing executable code or software instructions in medium 1720and/or memory 1704, such as the PRS positioning unit 1721. Means forgenerating positioning measurements using the positioning referencesignals with the comb value for estimating the position of the mobiledevice may be, e.g., one or more processors 1702 with dedicated hardwareor implementing executable code or software instructions in medium 1720and/or memory 1704, such as the position measurements unit 1732.

In one implementation, the positioning reference signals with the combvalue received from the second entity is a second set of positioningreference signals with a second comb value, the entity further includesmeans for receiving a first set of positioning reference signals fromthe second entity before requesting the second set positioning referencesignals are transmitted with the second comb value, the first set ofpositioning reference signals having a first comb value that is largerthan the second comb value, which may be, e.g., the wireless transceiver1710 and antenna array 1711 and one or more processors 1702 withdedicated hardware or implementing executable code or softwareinstructions in medium 1720 and/or memory 1704, such as the PRSpositioning unit 1721. Means for determining a presence of phase noisein the first set of positioning reference signals with the first combvalue, may be, e.g., one or more processors 1702 with dedicated hardwareor implementing executable code or software instructions in medium 1720and/or memory 1704, such as the detect phase noise unit 1728.

An entity in a wireless network capable of estimating a position of amobile device, such as UE 115, may include means for receivingpositioning reference signals comprising a plurality of symbols whereeach symbol is comprised of a plurality of sub-carriers from a secondentity in the wireless network, which may be, e.g., the wirelesstransceiver 1710 and antenna array 1711 and one or more processors 1702with dedicated hardware or implementing executable code or softwareinstructions in medium 1720 and/or memory 1704 such as the PRSpositioning unit 1721. Means for generating positioning measurementsusing less than all of the plurality of symbols in the positioningreference signals for estimating the position of the mobile device maybe, e.g., one or more processors 1702 with dedicated hardware orimplementing executable code or software instructions in medium 1720and/or memory 1704 such as the position measurements unit 1732.

In one implementation, the entity further includes means for determininga presence of phase noise in the received positioning reference signalsusing all of the plurality of symbols, which may be, e.g., one or moreprocessors 1702 with dedicated hardware or implementing executable codeor software instructions in medium 1720 and/or memory 1704 such as thedetect phase noise unit 1728. The means for determining the presence ofphase noise in the received positioning reference signals using all ofthe plurality of symbols may include means for generating positioningmeasurements using all of the plurality of symbols in the positioningreference signals, which may be, e.g., one or more processors 1702 withdedicated hardware or implementing executable code or softwareinstructions in medium 1720 and/or memory 1704 such as the positionmeasurements unit 1732. Means for detecting phase noise in thepositioning measurements using all of the plurality of symbols may be,e.g., one or more processors 1702 with dedicated hardware orimplementing executable code or software instructions in medium 1720and/or memory 1704 such as the detect phase noise unit 1728. In oneimplementation, the entity further includes means for using thepositioning measurements generated using all of the plurality of symbolsin the positioning reference signals to generate the positioningmeasurements using less than all of the plurality of symbols in thepositioning reference signals for estimating the position of the mobiledevice, which may be, e.g., one or more processors 1702 with dedicatedhardware or implementing executable code or software instructions inmedium 1720 and/or memory 1704 such as the position measurements unit1732. The means for using the positioning measurements generated usingall of the plurality of symbols in the positioning reference signals togenerate the positioning measurements using less than all of theplurality of symbols in the positioning reference signals for estimatingthe position of the mobile device may include means for finding a firstset of alias terms in the positioning measurements generated using allof the plurality of symbols in the positioning reference signals; meansfor finding a second set of alias terms in the positioning measurementsgenerated using less than all of the plurality of symbols; and means forrejecting alias terms that are not common to the first set and thesecond set during estimating the position of the mobile device, whichmay be, e.g., one or more processors 1702 with dedicated hardware orimplementing executable code or software instructions in medium 1720and/or memory 1704 such as the position measurements unit 1732.

An entity in a wireless network capable of estimating a position of amobile device, such as UE 115, may include means for receivingpositioning reference signals comprising a plurality of symbols whereeach symbol is comprised of a plurality of sub-carriers from a secondentity in the wireless network, the plurality of symbols beingstaggered, which may be, e.g., the wireless transceiver 1710 and antennaarray 1711 and one or more processors 1702 with dedicated hardware orimplementing executable code or software instructions in medium 1720and/or memory 1704 such as the PRS positioning unit 1721. Means fordetermining a phase offset between each symbol relative to an anchorsymbol may be, e.g., one or more processors 1702 with dedicated hardwareor implementing executable code or software instructions in medium 1720and/or memory 1704 such as the estimate and correct phase noise unit1730. Means for removing phase offset from each symbol may be, e.g., oneor more processors 1702 with dedicated hardware or implementingexecutable code or software instructions in medium 1720 and/or memory1704 such as the estimate and correct phase noise unit 1730. Means forgenerating positioning measurements using the plurality of staggeredsymbols with removed phase offset for estimating the position of themobile device may be, e.g., one or more processors 1702 with dedicatedhardware or implementing executable code or software instructions inmedium 1720 and/or memory 1704 such as the position measurements unit1732.

In one implementation, the means for determining the phase offsetbetween each symbol relative to the anchor symbol includes means forreceiving reference symbols with the positioning reference signals,which may be, e.g., the wireless transceiver 1710 and antenna array 1711and one or more processors 1702 with dedicated hardware or implementingexecutable code or software instructions in medium 1720 and/or memory1704 such as the PTRS and PRS positioning unit 1724. Means fordetermining phase of the reference symbols may be, e.g., one or moreprocessors 1702 with dedicated hardware or implementing executable codeor software instructions in medium 1720 and/or memory 1704 such as theestimate and correct phase noise unit 1730. Means for determining thephase offset between each symbol relative to the anchor symbol based ona phase of the reference symbols may be, e.g., one or more processors1702 with dedicated hardware or implementing executable code or softwareinstructions in medium 1720 and/or memory 1704 such as the estimate andcorrect phase noise unit 1730. The means for determining the phaseoffset between each symbol relative to the anchor symbol may includemeans for determining for each symbol a phase ramp between sub-carriersmay be, e.g., one or more processors 1702 with dedicated hardware orimplementing executable code or software instructions in medium 1720and/or memory 1704 such as the estimate and correct phase noise unit1730. Means for determining the phase offset between each symbolrelative to the anchor symbol based on the phase ramp may be, e.g., oneor more processors 1702 with dedicated hardware or implementingexecutable code or software instructions in medium 1720 and/or memory1704 such as the estimate and correct phase noise unit 1730.

In one implementation, the entity in a wireless network, such as UE 115,may include means for estimating the position of the mobile device usingthe positioning measurements, which may be, e.g., the wirelesstransceiver 1710 and antenna array 1711 and one or more processors 1702with dedicated hardware or implementing executable code or softwareinstructions in medium 1720 and/or memory 1704 such as the positioningdetermination unit 1734.

In one implementation, the entity in a wireless network may includemeans for sending the positioning measurements to a location server forestimating the position of the mobile device, which may be, e.g., thewireless transceiver 1710 and antenna array 1711 and one or moreprocessors 1702 with dedicated hardware or implementing executable codeor software instructions in medium 1720 and/or memory 1704 such as thelocation information report unit 1736.

FIG. 18 shows a schematic block diagram illustrating certain exemplaryfeatures of a base station, e.g., gNB 105, enabled to supportimprovement of positioning accuracy in the presence of phase noise inhigh frequency radio network, such as in 5G NR operating in mmWave bandsin a manner consistent with disclosed embodiments. In some embodiments,base station 105 may include, for example, one or more processors 1802,memory 1804, a transceiver 1810 (e.g., wireless network interface), and(as applicable) communications interface 1880 (e.g., wireline orwireless network interface), which may be operatively coupled with oneor more connections 1806 (e.g., buses, lines, fibers, links, etc.) tonon-transitory computer readable medium 1820 and memory 1804. In certainexample implementations, some portion of base station 105 may take theform of a chipset, and/or the like.

Transceiver 1810 may, for example, include a transmitter 1812 enabled totransmit one or more signals over one or more types of wirelesscommunication networks and a receiver 1814 to receive one or moresignals transmitted over the one or more types of wireless communicationnetworks. Base station 105 may include antenna 1811 to transmit and/orreceive signals processed by transceiver 1810.

Communications interface 1816 may include a variety of wired andwireless connections that support wired transmission and/or receptionand, if desired, may additionally or alternatively support transmissionand reception of one or more signals over one or more types of wirelesscommunication networks. Communications interface 1806 may also includeinterfaces for communication with various other computers andperipherals. For example, in one embodiment, communications interface1806 may comprise network interface cards, input-output cards, chipsand/or ASICs that implement one or more of the communication functionsperformed by base station 105. In some embodiments, communicationsinterface 1806 may also interface with network 100 to obtain a varietyof network configuration related information, such as PCIs, configuredPRS information, and/or timing information used by the base stations inthe network.

The one or more processors 1802 may be implemented using a combinationof hardware, firmware, and software. For example, one or more processors1802 may be configured to perform the functions discussed herein byimplementing one or more instructions or program code 1808 on anon-transitory computer readable medium, such as medium 1820 and/ormemory 1804. In some embodiments, the one or more processors 1802 mayrepresent one or more circuits configurable to perform at least aportion of a data signal computing procedure or process related to theoperation of base station 105.

The medium 1820 and/or memory 1804 may store instructions or programcode 1808 that contain executable code or software instructions thatwhen executed by the one or more processors 1802 cause the one or moreprocessors 1802 to operate as a special purpose computer programmed toperform the techniques disclosed herein. As illustrated in base station105, the medium 1820 and/or memory 1804 may include one or morecomponents or modules that may be implemented by the one or moreprocessors 1802 to perform the methodologies described herein. While thecomponents or modules are illustrated as software in medium 1820 that isexecutable by the one or more processors 1802, it should be understoodthat the components or modules may be stored in memory 1804 or may bededicated hardware either in the one or more processors 1802 or off theprocessors.

A number of software modules and data tables may reside in the medium1820 and/or memory 1804 and be utilized by the one or more processors1802 in order to manage both communications and the functionalitydescribed herein. It should be appreciated that the organization of thecontents of the medium 1820 and/or memory 1804 as shown in base station1800 is merely exemplary, and as such the functionality of the modulesand/or data structures may be combined, separated, and/or be structuredin different ways depending upon the implementation of the base station1800.

The medium 1820 and/or memory 1804 may include a PTRS positioning unit1822 that that when implemented by the one or more processors 1802configures the one or more processors 1802 to perform positioningmeasurements from PTRS signals received from a UE, e.g., via transceiver1810. The PTRS positioning unit 1822 may further configure the one ormore processors 1802 to request PTRS for positioning, e.g., viatransceiver 1810, if phase noise is detected in UL PRS. Additionally,the PTRS positioning unit 1822 may further configure the one or moreprocessors 1802 to transmit PTRS for positioning in DL PRS, e.g., viatransceiver 1810.

The medium 1820 and/or memory 1804 may include an PTRS and PRSpositioning unit 1824 that that when implemented by the one or moreprocessors 1802 configures the one or more processors 1802 to performpositioning measurements from PTRS and PRS signals received from a UE,e.g., via transceiver 1810. The PTRS and PRS positioning unit 1824 mayfurther configure the one or more processors 1802 to request PTRS andPRS for positioning, e.g., via transceiver 1810, if phase noise isdetected in UL PRS. Additionally, the PTRS and PRS positioning unit 1824may further configure the one or more processors 1802 to transmit PTRSand PRS for positioning in DL PRS, e.g., via transceiver 1810.

The medium 1820 and/or memory 1804 may include a comb request unit 1826that that when implemented by the one or more processors 1802 configuresthe one or more processors 1802 to perform positioning measurements fromPRS signals received from a UE using a specific PRS frame structure,such as comb 2 or comb 1, e.g., via transceiver 1810. The comb requestunit 1826 may further configure the one or more processors 1802 torequest a specific PRS frame structure, such as comb 2 or comb 1, forpositioning, e.g., via transceiver 1810, if phase noise is detected inUL PRS. Additionally, the comb request unit 1826 may further configurethe one or more processors 1802 to transmit a specific frame structure,such as comb 2 or comb 1, for positioning in DL PRS, e.g., viatransceiver 1810.

The medium 1820 and/or memory 1804 may include a detect phase noise unit1828 that that when implemented by the one or more processors 1802configures the one or more processors 1802 to determine if sufficientphase noise is present in received PRS signals to impact positioningmeasurements, e.g., as discussed in FIGS. 6A, 6B, 7A and 7B and FIGS. 10and 11.

The medium 1820 and/or memory 1804 may include an estimate and correctphase noise unit 1830 that that when implemented by the one or moreprocessors 1802 configures the one or more processors 1802 to estimatethe phase noise present in received PRS signals and to correct thesignals for phase noise, e.g., as discussed in FIGS. 6A, 6B, 7A, 7B, 8A,and 8B, and FIG. 12.

The medium 1820 and/or memory 1804 may include a position measurementsunit 1832 that that when implemented by the one or more processors 1802configures the one or more processors 1802 to generate positionmeasurements using the received PRS signals. In some implementations,the position measurements unit 1832 may configure the one or moreprocessors 1802 to generate position measurements using less than allsymbols in the PRS signals. For example, the position measurements maybe UTDOA, UL-AoA, UL-RTOA, or Rx-Tx measurements.

The medium 1820 and/or memory 1804 may include a location informationreport unit 1834 that that when implemented by the one or moreprocessors 1802 configures the one or more processors 1802 to transmit,e.g., via transceiver 1810, location information, such as positionmeasurements and/or estimate of position to a location server.

An entity in a wireless network capable of estimating a position of amobile device, such as base station 105, may include means for receivingreference symbols for positioning transmitted by one or more secondentities in the wireless network, which may be, e.g., the wirelesstransceiver 1810 and antenna array 1811 and one or more processors 1802with dedicated hardware or implementing executable code or softwareinstructions in medium 1820 and/or memory 1804 such as the PTRSpositioning unit 1822. Means for estimating phase offsets between eachsymbol relative to an anchor symbol in the reference symbols resultingfrom clock changes may be, e.g., one or more processors 1802 withdedicated hardware or implementing executable code or softwareinstructions in medium 1820 and/or memory 1804 such as the estimate andcorrect phase noise unit 1830. Means for generating positioningmeasurements using the phase offsets in the reference symbols forestimating the position of the mobile device may be, e.g., one or moreprocessors 1802 with dedicated hardware or implementing executable codeor software instructions in medium 1820 and/or memory 1804 such as theposition measurements unit 1832.

In one implementation, the means for generating positioning measurementsusing the phase offsets in the reference symbols may include means forcorrecting the phase offset between each symbol in the reference symbolsbased on the estimated phase offsets in the reference symbols, which maybe, e.g., one or more processors 1802 with dedicated hardware orimplementing executable code or software instructions in medium 1820and/or memory 1804 such as the estimate and correct phase noise unit1830. Means for generating positioning measurements using the correctedreference symbols for estimating the position of the mobile device maybe, e.g., one or more processors 1802 with dedicated hardware orimplementing executable code or software instructions in medium 1820and/or memory 1804 such as the position measurements unit 1832.

In one implementation, the entity may include means for receivingpositioning reference signals with the reference symbols, thepositioning reference signals comprising a plurality of symbols whereeach symbol is comprised of a plurality of sub-carriers, which may be,e.g., the wireless transceiver 1810 and antenna array 1811 and one ormore processors 1802 with dedicated hardware or implementing executablecode or software instructions in medium 1820 and/or memory 1804 such asthe PTRS & PRS positioning unit 1824. The means for generatingpositioning measurements using the phase offsets in the referencesymbols may include means for correcting the phase offset between eachsymbol in the positioning reference signals based on the estimated phaseoffsets in the reference symbols, which may be, e.g., one or moreprocessors 1802 with dedicated hardware or implementing executable codeor software instructions in medium 1820 and/or memory 1804 such as theestimate and correct phase noise unit 1830. Means for generatingpositioning measurements using the corrected positioning referencesignals for estimating the position of the mobile device may be, e.g.,one or more processors 1802 with dedicated hardware or implementingexecutable code or software instructions in medium 1820 and/or memory1804 such as the position measurements unit 1832.

In one implementation, the entity may further include means forrequesting that the reference symbols are transmitted for positioning,which may be, e.g., the wireless transceiver 1810 and antenna array 1811and one or more processors 1802 with dedicated hardware or implementingexecutable code or software instructions in medium 1820 and/or memory1804 such as the PTRS positioning unit 1822. In one implementation, theentity further includes means for receiving positioning referencesignals without reference symbols from the one or more second entitiesin the wireless network, which may be, e.g., the wireless transceiver1810 and antenna array 1811 and one or more processors 1802 withdedicated hardware or implementing executable code or softwareinstructions in medium 1820 and/or memory 1804 such as the PTRS & PRSpositioning unit 1824. Means for determining a presence of phase noisein the received positioning reference signals without reference symbolsmay be, e.g., one or more processors 1802 with dedicated hardware orimplementing executable code or software instructions in medium 1820and/or memory 1804 such as the detect phase noise unit 1828.

In one implementation, the means for estimating the phase offset mayinclude means for determining a phase of each symbol in the referencesymbols, which may be, e.g., one or more processors 1802 with dedicatedhardware or implementing executable code or software instructions inmedium 1820 and/or memory 1804 such as the estimate and correct phasenoise unit 1830. Means for determining the phase offset between eachsymbol relative to the anchor symbol in the reference symbols based onthe phase of the each symbol in the reference symbols may be, e.g., oneor more processors 1802 with dedicated hardware or implementingexecutable code or software instructions in medium 1820 and/or memory1804 such as the estimate and correct phase noise unit 1830.

An entity in a wireless network capable of estimating a position of amobile device, such as base station 105, may include means forestablishing a positioning session between the mobile device and a basestation in the wireless network, which may be, e.g., the wirelesstransceiver 1810 and antenna array 1811 and one or more processors 1802with dedicated hardware or implementing executable code or softwareinstructions in medium 1820 and/or memory 1804. Means for requestingpositioning reference signals are transmitted with a comb value may be,e.g., the wireless transceiver 1810 and antenna array 1811 and one ormore processors 1802 with dedicated hardware or implementing executablecode or software instructions in medium 1820 and/or memory 1804, such asthe comb request unit 1826. Means for means for receiving positioningreference signals with the comb value from a second entity in thewireless network may be, e.g., the wireless transceiver 1810 and antennaarray 1811 and one or more processors 1802 with dedicated hardware orimplementing executable code or software instructions in medium 1820and/or memory 1804, such as the PRS positioning unit 1821. Means forgenerating positioning measurements using the positioning referencesignals with the comb value for estimating the position of the mobiledevice may be, e.g., one or more processors 1802 with dedicated hardwareor implementing executable code or software instructions in medium 1820and/or memory 1804, such as the position measurements unit 1832.

In one implementation, the positioning reference signals with the combvalue received from the second entity is a second set of positioningreference signals with a second comb value, the entity further includesmeans for receiving a first set of positioning reference signals fromthe second entity before requesting the second set positioning referencesignals are transmitted with the second comb value, the first set ofpositioning reference signals having a first comb value that is largerthan the second comb value, which may be, e.g., the wireless transceiver1810 and antenna array 1811 and one or more processors 1802 withdedicated hardware or implementing executable code or softwareinstructions in medium 1820 and/or memory 1804, such as the PRSpositioning unit 1821. Means for determining a presence of phase noisein the first set of positioning reference signals with the first combvalue, may be, e.g., one or more processors 1802 with dedicated hardwareor implementing executable code or software instructions in medium 1820and/or memory 1804, such as the detect phase noise unit 1828.

An entity in a wireless network capable of estimating a position of amobile device, such as base station 105, may include means for receivingpositioning reference signals comprising a plurality of symbols whereeach symbol is comprised of a plurality of sub-carriers from a secondentity in the wireless network, which may be, e.g., the wirelesstransceiver 1810 and antenna array 1811 and one or more processors 1802with dedicated hardware or implementing executable code or softwareinstructions in medium 1820 and/or memory 1804 such as the PRSpositioning unit 1821. Means for generating positioning measurementsusing less than all of the plurality of symbols in the positioningreference signals for estimating the position of the mobile device maybe, e.g., one or more processors 1802 with dedicated hardware orimplementing executable code or software instructions in medium 1820and/or memory 1804 such as the position measurements unit 1832.

In one implementation, the entity further includes means for determininga presence of phase noise in the received positioning reference signalsusing all of the plurality of symbols, which may be, e.g., one or moreprocessors 1802 with dedicated hardware or implementing executable codeor software instructions in medium 1820 and/or memory 1804 such as thedetect phase noise unit 1828. The means for determining the presence ofphase noise in the received positioning reference signals using all ofthe plurality of symbols may include means for generating positioningmeasurements using all of the plurality of symbols in the positioningreference signals, which may be, e.g., one or more processors 1802 withdedicated hardware or implementing executable code or softwareinstructions in medium 1820 and/or memory 1804 such as the positionmeasurements unit 1832. Means for detecting phase noise in thepositioning measurements using all of the plurality of symbols may be,e.g., one or more processors 1802 with dedicated hardware orimplementing executable code or software instructions in medium 1820and/or memory 1804 such as the detect phase noise unit 1828. In oneimplementation, the entity further includes means for using thepositioning measurements generated using all of the plurality of symbolsin the positioning reference signals to generate the positioningmeasurements using less than all of the plurality of symbols in thepositioning reference signals for estimating the position of the mobiledevice, which may be, e.g., one or more processors 1802 with dedicatedhardware or implementing executable code or software instructions inmedium 1820 and/or memory 1804 such as the position measurements unit1832. The means for using the positioning measurements generated usingall of the plurality of symbols in the positioning reference signals togenerate the positioning measurements using less than all of theplurality of symbols in the positioning reference signals for estimatingthe position of the mobile device may include means for finding a firstset of alias terms in the positioning measurements generated using allof the plurality of symbols in the positioning reference signals; meansfor finding a second set of alias terms in the positioning measurementsgenerated using less than all of the plurality of symbols; and means forrejecting alias terms that are not common to the first set and thesecond set during estimating the position of the mobile device, whichmay be, e.g., one or more processors 1802 with dedicated hardware orimplementing executable code or software instructions in medium 1820and/or memory 1804 such as the position measurements unit 1832.

An entity in a wireless network capable of estimating a position of amobile device, such as base station 105, may include means for receivingpositioning reference signals comprising a plurality of symbols whereeach symbol is comprised of a plurality of sub-carriers from a secondentity in the wireless network, the plurality of symbols beingstaggered, which may be, e.g., the wireless transceiver 1810 and antennaarray 1811 and one or more processors 1802 with dedicated hardware orimplementing executable code or software instructions in medium 1820and/or memory 1804 such as the PRS positioning unit 1821. Means fordetermining a phase offset between each symbol relative to an anchorsymbol may be, e.g., one or more processors 1802 with dedicated hardwareor implementing executable code or software instructions in medium 1820and/or memory 1804 such as the estimate and correct phase noise unit1830. Means for removing phase offset from each symbol may be, e.g., oneor more processors 1802 with dedicated hardware or implementingexecutable code or software instructions in medium 1820 and/or memory1804 such as the estimate and correct phase noise unit 1830. Means forgenerating positioning measurements using the plurality of staggeredsymbols with removed phase offset for estimating the position of themobile device may be, e.g., one or more processors 1802 with dedicatedhardware or implementing executable code or software instructions inmedium 1820 and/or memory 1804 such as the position measurements unit1832.

In one implementation, the means for determining the phase offsetbetween each symbol relative to the anchor symbol includes means forreceiving reference symbols with the positioning reference signals,which may be, e.g., the wireless transceiver 1810 and antenna array 1811and one or more processors 1802 with dedicated hardware or implementingexecutable code or software instructions in medium 1820 and/or memory1804 such as the PTRS and PRS positioning unit 1824. Means fordetermining phase of the reference symbols may be, e.g., one or moreprocessors 1802 with dedicated hardware or implementing executable codeor software instructions in medium 1820 and/or memory 1804 such as theestimate and correct phase noise unit 1830. Means for determining thephase offset between each symbol relative to the anchor symbol based ona phase of the reference symbols may be, e.g., one or more processors1802 with dedicated hardware or implementing executable code or softwareinstructions in medium 1820 and/or memory 1804 such as the estimate andcorrect phase noise unit 1830. The means for determining the phaseoffset between each symbol relative to the anchor symbol may includemeans for determining for each symbol a phase ramp between sub-carriersmay be, e.g., one or more processors 1802 with dedicated hardware orimplementing executable code or software instructions in medium 1820and/or memory 1804 such as the estimate and correct phase noise unit1830. Means for determining the phase offset between each symbolrelative to the anchor symbol based on the phase ramp may be, e.g., oneor more processors 1802 with dedicated hardware or implementingexecutable code or software instructions in medium 1820 and/or memory1804 such as the estimate and correct phase noise unit 1830.

In one implementation, the entity in a wireless network, such as basestation 105, may include means for sending the positioning measurementsto a location server for estimating the position of the mobile device,which may be, e.g., the wireless transceiver 1810 and antenna array 1811and one or more processors 1802 with dedicated hardware or implementingexecutable code or software instructions in medium 1820 and/or memory1804 such as the location information report unit 1834.

In one implementation (1), a method of estimating a position of a mobiledevice performed by an entity in a wireless network, comprising:establishing a positioning session between the mobile device and a basestation in the wireless network; requesting positioning referencesignals are transmitted with a comb value; receiving positioningreference signals with the comb value from a second entity in thewireless network; and generating positioning measurements using thepositioning reference signals with the comb value for estimating theposition of the mobile device.

There may be some implementations (2) of the above-described method (1),wherein the positioning reference signals with the comb value receivedfrom the second entity is a second set of positioning reference signalswith a second comb value, the method further comprises: receiving afirst set of positioning reference signals from the second entity beforerequesting the second set positioning reference signals are transmittedwith the second comb value, the first set of positioning referencesignals having a first comb value that is larger than the second combvalue; determining a presence of phase noise in the first set ofpositioning reference signals with the first comb value; whereinrequesting the second set of positioning reference signals aretransmitted with the second comb value is in response to the presence ofthe phase noise in the first set of positioning reference signals withthe first comb value.

There may be some implementations (3) of the above-described method (1),wherein the comb value is comb-2 or smaller.

There may be some implementations (4) of the above-described method (1),wherein the entity is the mobile device, and the second entity is thebase station.

There may be some implementations (5) of the above-described method (4),further comprising estimating the position of the mobile device usingthe positioning measurements.

There may be some implementations (6) of the above-described method (1),further comprising sending the positioning measurements to a locationserver for estimating the position of the mobile device.

There may be some implementations (7) of the above-described method (1),wherein the entity is the base station, and the second entity is themobile device.

In one implementation (8), an entity in a wireless network capable ofestimating a position of a mobile device, comprising: an externalinterface for receiving and sending messages; at least one memory; andat least one processor coupled to the external interface and the atleast one memory, the at least one processor configured to: establish apositioning session between the mobile device and a base station in thewireless network; request positioning reference signals are transmittedwith a comb value; receive positioning reference signals with the combvalue from a second entity in the wireless network; and generatepositioning measurements using the positioning reference signals withthe comb value for estimating the position of the mobile device.

There may be some implementations (9) of the above-described entity (8),wherein the positioning reference signals with the comb value receivedfrom the second entity is a second set of positioning reference signalswith a second comb value, the at least one processor is furtherconfigured to: receive a first set of positioning reference signals fromthe second entity before requesting the second set positioning referencesignals are transmitted with the second comb value, the first set ofpositioning reference signals having a first comb value that is largerthan the second comb value; determine a presence of phase noise in thefirst set of positioning reference signals with the first comb value;wherein requesting the second set of positioning reference signals aretransmitted with the second comb value is in response to the presence ofthe phase noise in the first set of positioning reference signals withthe first comb value.

There may be some implementations (10) of the above-described entity(8), wherein the comb value is comb-2 or smaller.

There may be some implementations (11) of the above-described entity(8), wherein the entity is the mobile device, and the second entity isthe base station.

There may be some implementations (12) of the above-described entity(11), wherein the at least one processor is further configured toestimate the position of the mobile device using the positioningmeasurements.

There may be some implementations (13) of the above-described entity(8), wherein the at least one processor is further configured to sendthe positioning measurements to a location server for estimating theposition of the mobile device.

There may be some implementations (14) of the above-described entity(8), wherein the entity is the base station, and the second entity isthe mobile device.

In one implementation (15), an entity in a wireless network capable ofestimating a position of a mobile device, comprising: means forestablishing a positioning session between the mobile device and a basestation in the wireless network; means for requesting positioningreference signals are transmitted with a comb value; means for receivingpositioning reference signals with the comb value from a second entityin the wireless network; and means for generating positioningmeasurements using the positioning reference signals with the comb valuefor estimating the position of the mobile device.

There may be some implementations (16) of the above-described entity(15), wherein the positioning reference signals with the comb valuereceived from the second entity is a second set of positioning referencesignals with a second comb value, the entity further comprises: meansfor receiving a first set of positioning reference signals from thesecond entity before requesting the second set positioning referencesignals are transmitted with the second comb value, the first set ofpositioning reference signals having a first comb value that is largerthan the second comb value; means for determining a presence of phasenoise in the first set of positioning reference signals with the firstcomb value; wherein requesting the second set of positioning referencesignals are transmitted with the second comb value is in response to thepresence of the phase noise in the first set of positioning referencesignals with the first comb value.

There may be some implementations (17) of the above-described entity(15), wherein the comb value is comb-2 or smaller.

There may be some implementations (18) of the above-described entity(15), wherein the entity is the mobile device, and the second entity isthe base station.

There may be some implementations (19) of the above-described entity(18), further comprising means for estimating the position of the mobiledevice using the positioning measurements.

There may be some implementations (20) of the above-described entity(15), further comprising means for sending the positioning measurementsto a location server for estimating the position of the mobile device.

There may be some implementations (21) of the above-described entity(15), wherein the entity is the base station, and the second entity isthe mobile device.

In one implementation (22), a non-transitory computer readable storagemedium including program code stored thereon, the program code isoperable to configure at least one processor in an entity for supportingestimating a position of a mobile device, comprising: program code toestablish a positioning session between the mobile device and a basestation in a wireless network; program code to request positioningreference signals are transmitted with a comb value: program code toreceive positioning reference signals with the comb value from a secondentity in the wireless network; and program code to generate positioningmeasurements using the positioning reference signals with the comb valuefor estimating the position of the mobile device.

In one implementation (23), a method of estimating a position of amobile device performed by an entity in a wireless network, comprising:receiving positioning reference signals comprising a plurality ofsymbols where each symbol is comprised of a plurality of sub-carriersfrom a second entity in the wireless network; and generating positioningmeasurements using less than all of the plurality of symbols in thepositioning reference signals for estimating the position of the mobiledevice.

There may be some implementations (24) of the above-described method(23), further comprising: determining a presence of phase noise in thereceived positioning reference signals using all of the plurality ofsymbols; wherein generating the positioning measurements using less thanall of the plurality of symbols is in response to the presence of thephase noise.

There may be some implementations (25) of the above-described method(24), wherein determining the presence of phase noise in the receivedpositioning reference signals using all of the plurality of symbolscomprises: generating the positioning measurements using all of theplurality of symbols in the positioning reference signals; and detectingphase noise in the positioning measurements using all of the pluralityof symbols.

There may be some implementations (26) of the above-described method(25), further comprising using the positioning measurements generatedusing all of the plurality of symbols in the positioning referencesignals to generate the positioning measurements using less than all ofthe plurality of symbols in the positioning reference signals forestimating the position of the mobile device.

There may be some implementations (27) of the above-described method(26), wherein using the positioning measurements generated using all ofthe plurality of symbols in the positioning reference signals togenerate the positioning measurements using less than all of theplurality of symbols in the positioning reference signals for estimatingthe position of the mobile device comprises: finding a first set ofalias terms in the positioning measurements generated using all of theplurality of symbols in the positioning reference signals; finding asecond set of alias terms in the positioning measurements generatedusing less than all of the plurality of symbols; and rejecting aliasterms that are not common to the first set and the second set duringestimating the position of the mobile device.

There may be some implementations (28) of the above-described method(23), wherein the entity is the mobile device, and the second entity isa base station.

There may be some implementations (29) of the above-described method(28), further comprising estimating the position of the mobile deviceusing the positioning measurements.

There may be some implementations (30) of the above-described method(23), further comprising sending the positioning measurements to alocation server for estimating the position of the mobile device.

There may be some implementations (31) of the above-described method(23), wherein the entity is a base station, and the second entity is themobile device.

In one implementation (32), an entity in a wireless network capable ofestimating a position of a mobile device, comprising: an externalinterface for receiving and sending messages; at least one memory; andat least one processor coupled to the external interface and the atleast one memory, the at least one processor configured to: receivepositioning reference signals comprising a plurality of symbols whereeach symbol is comprised of a plurality of sub-carriers from a secondentity in the wireless network; and generate positioning measurementsusing less than all of the plurality of symbols in the positioningreference signals for estimating the position of the mobile device.

There may be some implementations (33) of the above-described entity(32), wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:determine a presence of phase noise in the received positioningreference signals using all of the plurality of symbols; wherein thepositioning measurements are generated using less than all of theplurality of symbols in response to the presence of the phase noise.

There may be some implementations (34) of the above-described entity(33), wherein the at least one processor is configured to determine thepresence of phase noise in the received positioning reference signalsusing all of the plurality of symbols by being configured to: generatepositioning measurements using all of the plurality of symbols in thepositioning reference signals; and detect phase noise in the positioningmeasurements using all of the plurality of symbols.

There may be some implementations (35) of the above-described entity(34), the at least one processor is further configured to use thepositioning measurements generated using all of the plurality of symbolsin the positioning reference signals to generate the positioningmeasurements using less than all of the plurality of symbols in thepositioning reference signals for estimating the position of the mobiledevice.

There may be some implementations (36) of the above-described entity(35), wherein the at least one processor is configured to use thepositioning measurements generated using all of the plurality of symbolsin the positioning reference signals to generate the positioningmeasurements using less than all of the plurality of symbols in thepositioning reference signals for estimating the position of the mobiledevice by being configured to: find a first set of alias terms in thepositioning measurements generated using all of the plurality of symbolsin the positioning reference signals; find a second set of alias termsin the positioning measurements generated using less than all of theplurality of symbols; and reject alias terms that are not common to thefirst set and the second set during estimating the position of themobile device.

There may be some implementations (37) of the above-described entity(32), wherein the entity is the mobile device, and the second entity isa base station.

There may be some implementations (38) of the above-described entity(37), wherein the at least one processor is further configured toestimate the position of the mobile device using the positioningmeasurements.

There may be some implementations (39) of the above-described entity(32), wherein the at least one processor is further configured to sendthe positioning measurements to a location server for estimating theposition of the mobile device.

There may be some implementations (40) of the above-described entity(32), wherein the entity is a base station, and the second entity is themobile device.

In one implementation (41), an entity in a wireless network capable ofestimating a position of a mobile device, comprising: means forreceiving positioning reference signals comprising a plurality ofsymbols where each symbol is comprised of a plurality of sub-carriersfrom a second entity in the wireless network; and means for generatingpositioning measurements using less than all of the plurality of symbolsin the positioning reference signals for estimating the position of themobile device.

There may be some implementations (42) of the above-described entity(41), further comprising: means for determining a presence of phasenoise in the received positioning reference signals using all of theplurality of symbols; wherein the positioning measurements are generatedusing less than all of the plurality of symbols in response to thepresence of the phase noise.

There may be some implementations (43) of the above-described entity(42), wherein the means for determining the presence of phase noise inthe received positioning reference signals using all of the plurality ofsymbols comprises: means for generating positioning measurements usingall of the plurality of symbols in the positioning reference signals;and means for detecting phase noise in the positioning measurementsusing all of the plurality of symbols.

There may be some implementations (44) of the above-described entity(43), further comprising means for using the positioning measurementsgenerated using all of the plurality of symbols in the positioningreference signals to generate the positioning measurements using lessthan all of the plurality of symbols in the positioning referencesignals for estimating the position of the mobile device.

There may be some implementations (45) of the above-described entity(44), wherein the means for using the positioning measurements generatedusing all of the plurality of symbols in the positioning referencesignals to generate the positioning measurements using less than all ofthe plurality of symbols in the positioning reference signals forestimating the position of the mobile device comprises: means forfinding a first set of alias terms in the positioning measurementsgenerated using all of the plurality of symbols in the positioningreference signals; means for finding a second set of alias terms in thepositioning measurements generated using less than all of the pluralityof symbols; and means for rejecting alias terms that are not common tothe first set and the second set during estimating the position of themobile device.

There may be some implementations (46) of the above-described entity(41), wherein the entity is the mobile device, and the second entity isa base station.

There may be some implementations (47) of the above-described entity(46), further comprising means for estimating the position of the mobiledevice using the positioning measurements.

There may be some implementations (48) of the above-described entity(41), further comprising means for sending the positioning measurementsto a location server for estimating the position of the mobile device.

There may be some implementations (49) of the above-described entity(41), wherein the entity is a base station, and the second entity is themobile device.

In one implementation (50), a non-transitory computer readable storagemedium including program code stored thereon, the program code isoperable to configure at least one processor in an entity for supportingestimating a position of a mobile device, comprising: program code toreceive positioning reference signals comprising a plurality of symbolswhere each symbol is comprised of a plurality of sub-carriers from asecond entity in a wireless network; and program code to generatepositioning measurements using less than all of the plurality of symbolsin the positioning reference signals for estimating the position of themobile device.

In one implementation (51), a method of estimating a position of amobile device performed by an entity in a wireless network, comprising:receiving positioning reference signals comprising a plurality ofsymbols where each symbol is comprised of a plurality of sub-carriersfrom a second entity in the wireless network, the plurality of symbolsbeing staggered; determining a phase offset between each symbol relativeto an anchor symbol; removing phase offset from each symbol; generatingpositioning measurements using the plurality of staggered symbols withremoved phase offset for estimating the position of the mobile device.

There may be some implementations (52) of the above-described method(51), wherein determining the phase offset between each symbol relativeto the anchor symbol comprises: receiving reference symbols with thepositioning reference signals; determining phase of the referencesymbols; and determining the phase offset between each symbol relativeto the anchor symbol based on a phase of the reference symbols.

There may be some implementations (53) of the above-described method(52), wherein the reference signals comprise phase tracking referencesymbols.

There may be some implementations (54) of the above-described method(51), wherein determining the phase offset between each symbol relativeto the anchor symbol comprises: determining for each symbol a phase rampbetween sub-carriers; and determining the phase offset between eachsymbol relative to the anchor symbol based on the phase ramp.

There may be some implementations (55) of the above-described method(51), wherein the entity is the mobile device, and the second entity isa base station.

There may be some implementations (56) of the above-described method(55), further comprising estimating the position of the mobile deviceusing the positioning measurements.

There may be some implementations (57) of the above-described method(51), further comprising sending the positioning measurements to alocation server for estimating the position of the mobile device.

There may be some implementations (58) of the above-described method(51), wherein the entity is a base station, and the second entity is themobile device.

In one implementation (59), an entity in a wireless network capable ofestimating a position of a mobile device, comprising: an externalinterface for receiving and sending messages; at least one memory; andat least one processor coupled to the external interface and the atleast one memory, the at least one processor configured to: receivepositioning reference signals comprising a plurality of symbols whereeach symbol is comprised of a plurality of sub-carriers from a secondentity in the wireless network, the plurality of symbols beingstaggered; determine a phase offset between each symbol relative to ananchor symbol; remove phase offset from each symbol; generatepositioning measurements using the plurality of staggered symbols withremoved phase offset for estimating the position of the mobile device.

There may be some implementations (60) of the above-described entity(59), wherein the at least one processor is configured to determine thephase offset between each symbol relative to the anchor symbol by beingconfigured to: receive reference symbols with the positioning referencesignals; determine phase of the reference symbols; and determine thephase offset between each symbol relative to the anchor symbol based ona phase of the reference symbols.

There may be some implementations (61) of the above-described entity(60), wherein the reference signals comprise phase tracking referencesymbols.

There may be some implementations (62) of the above-described entity(59), wherein the at least one processor is configured to determine thephase offset between each symbol relative to the anchor symbol by beingconfigured to: determine for each symbol a phase ramp betweensub-carriers; and determine the phase offset between each symbolrelative to the anchor symbol based on the phase ramp.

There may be some implementations (63) of the above-described entity(59), wherein the entity is the mobile device, and the second entity isa base station.

There may be some implementations (64) of the above-described entity(63), wherein the at least one processor is further configured toestimate the position of the mobile device using the positioningmeasurements.

There may be some implementations (65) of the above-described entity(59), wherein the at least one processor is further configured to sendthe positioning measurements to a location server for estimating theposition of the mobile device.

There may be some implementations (66) of the above-described entity(59), wherein the entity is a base station, and the second entity is themobile device.

In one implementation (67), an entity in a wireless network capable ofestimating a position of a mobile device, comprising: means forreceiving positioning reference signals comprising a plurality ofsymbols where each symbol is comprised of a plurality of sub-carriersfrom a second entity in the wireless network, the plurality of symbolsbeing staggered; means for determining a phase offset between eachsymbol relative to an anchor symbol; means for removing phase offsetfrom each symbol; means for generating positioning measurements usingthe plurality of staggered symbols with removed phase offset forestimating the position of the mobile device.

There may be some implementations (68) of the above-described entity(67), wherein the means for determining the phase offset between eachsymbol relative to the anchor symbol comprises: means for receivingreference symbols with the positioning reference signals; means fordetermining phase of the reference symbols; means for determining thephase offset between each symbol relative to the anchor symbol based ona phase of the reference symbols.

There may be some implementations (69) of the above-described entity(68), wherein the reference signals comprise phase tracking referencesymbols.

There may be some implementations (70) of the above-described entity(67), wherein the means for determining the phase offset between eachsymbol relative to the anchor symbol comprises: means for determiningfor each symbol a phase ramp between sub-carriers; and means fordetermining the phase offset between each symbol relative to the anchorsymbol based on the phase ramp.

There may be some implementations (71) of the above-described entity(67), wherein the entity is the mobile device, and the second entity isa base station.

There may be some implementations (72) of the above-described entity(71), further comprising means for estimating the position of the mobiledevice using the positioning measurements.

There may be some implementations (73) of the above-described entity(67), further comprising means for sending the positioning measurementsto a location server for estimating the position of the mobile device.

There may be some implementations (74) of the above-described entity(67), wherein the entity is a base station, and the second entity is themobile device.

In one implementation (75), a non-transitory computer readable storagemedium including program code stored thereon, the program code isoperable to configure at least one processor in an entity for supportingestimating a position of a mobile device, comprising: program code toreceive positioning reference signals comprising a plurality of symbolswhere each symbol is comprised of a plurality of sub-carriers from asecond entity in a wireless network, the plurality of symbols beingstaggered; program code to determine a phase offset between each symbolrelative to an anchor symbol; program code to remove phase offset fromeach symbol; and program code to generate positioning measurements usingthe plurality of staggered symbols with removed phase offset forestimating the position of the mobile device.

Although the present disclosure is described in connection with specificembodiments for instructional purposes, the disclosure is not limitedthereto. Various adaptations and modifications may be made to thedisclosure without departing from the scope. Therefore, the spirit andscope of the appended claims should not be limited to the foregoingdescription.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of estimating a position of a mobiledevice performed by an entity in a wireless network, comprising:receiving a reference signal comprising reference symbols in a singlereference block transmitted by one or more second entities in thewireless network; estimating phase offsets between each symbol relativeto an anchor symbol in the reference symbols of the single referenceblock resulting from clock changes within the mobile device, wherein theanchor symbol is a symbol in the single reference block; and generatingpositioning measurements using the phase offsets in the referencesymbols in the single reference block for estimating the position of themobile device.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the reference symbolscomprise phase tracking reference signals.
 3. The method of claim 1,wherein generating the positioning measurements using the phase offsetsin the reference symbols comprises: correcting a phase offset betweeneach symbol relative to the anchor symbol in the reference symbols basedon the phase offsets in the reference symbols; and generating thepositioning measurements using corrected reference symbols forestimating the position of the mobile device.
 4. The method of claim 1,wherein the reference symbols are transmitted within a frame structurefor positioning reference signals.
 5. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising receiving positioning reference signals with the referencesymbols, the positioning reference signals comprising a plurality ofsymbols where each symbol is comprised of a plurality of sub-carriers.6. The method of claim 5, wherein generating the positioningmeasurements using the phase offsets in the reference symbols comprises:correcting a phase offset between each symbol in the positioningreference signals based on the phase offsets in the reference symbols;and generating the positioning measurements using corrected positioningreference signals for estimating the position of the mobile device. 7.The method of claim 1, further comprising requesting that the referencesymbols are transmitted for positioning.
 8. The method of claim 7,further comprising: receiving positioning reference signals withoutreference symbols from the one or more second entities in the wirelessnetwork; determining a presence of phase noise in the receivedpositioning reference signals without reference symbols; whereinrequesting that the reference symbols are transmitted for positioning isin response to the presence of the phase noise.
 9. The method of claim1, wherein estimating the phase offsets comprises: determining a phaseof each symbol in the reference symbols; determining a phase offsetbetween each symbol relative to the anchor symbol in the referencesymbols based on the phase of the each symbol in the reference symbols.10. The method of claim 1, wherein the entity is the mobile device, andthe one or more second entities are one or more base stations.
 11. Themethod of claim 10, further comprising estimating the position of themobile device using the positioning measurements.
 12. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising sending the positioning measurements to alocation server for estimating the position of the mobile device. 13.The method of claim 1, wherein the entity is a base station, and the oneor more second entities is the mobile device.
 14. An entity in awireless network capable of estimating a position of a mobile device,comprising: an external interface for receiving and sending messages; atleast one memory; and at least one processor coupled to the externalinterface and the at least one memory, the at least one processorconfigured to: receive a reference signal comprising reference symbolsin a single reference block transmitted by one or more second entitiesin the wireless network; estimate phase offsets between each symbolrelative to an anchor symbol in the reference symbols of the singlereference block resulting from clock changes within the mobile device,wherein the anchor symbol is a symbol in the single reference block; andgenerate positioning measurements using the phase offsets in thereference symbols in the single reference block for estimating theposition of the mobile device.
 15. The entity of claim 14, wherein thereference symbols comprise phase tracking reference signals.
 16. Theentity of claim 14, wherein the at least one processor is configured togenerate the positioning measurements using the phase offsets in thereference symbols by being configured to: correct a phase offset betweeneach symbol relative to the anchor symbol in the reference symbols basedon the phase offsets in the reference symbols; and generate thepositioning measurements using corrected reference symbols forestimating the position of the mobile device.
 17. The entity of claim14, wherein the reference symbols are transmitted within a framestructure for positioning reference signals.
 18. The entity of claim 14,wherein the at least one processor is configured to receive positioningreference signals with the reference symbols, the positioning referencesignals comprising a plurality of symbols where each symbol is comprisedof a plurality of sub-carriers.
 19. The entity of claim 18, wherein theat least one processor is configured to generate the positioningmeasurements using the phase offsets in the reference symbols by beingconfigured to: correct a phase offset between each symbol in thepositioning reference signals based on the phase offsets in thereference symbols; and generate the positioning measurements usingcorrected positioning reference signals for estimating the position ofthe mobile device.
 20. The entity of claim 14, wherein the at least oneprocessor is configured to request that the reference symbols aretransmitted for positioning.
 21. The entity of claim 20, wherein the atleast one processor is configured to: receive positioning referencesignals without reference symbols from the one or more second entitiesin the wireless network; determine a presence of phase noise in thereceived positioning reference signals without reference symbols;wherein the request that the reference symbols are transmitted forpositioning is in response to the presence of the phase noise.
 22. Theentity of claim 14, wherein the at least one processor is configured toestimate the phase offsets by being configured to: determine a phase ofeach symbol in the reference symbols; determine a phase offset betweeneach symbol relative to the anchor symbol in the reference symbols basedon the phase of the each symbol in the reference symbols.
 23. The entityof claim 14, wherein the entity is the mobile device, and the one ormore second entities are one or more base stations.
 24. The entity ofclaim 23, wherein the at least one processor is configured to estimatethe position of the mobile device using the positioning measurements.25. The entity of claim 23, wherein the at least one processor isconfigured to send the positioning measurements to a location server forestimating the position of the mobile device.
 26. The entity of claim14, wherein the entity is a base station, and the one or more secondentities is the mobile device.
 27. An entity in a wireless networkcapable of estimating a position of a mobile device, comprising: meansfor receiving a reference signal comprising reference symbols in asingle reference block transmitted by one or more second entities in thewireless network; means for estimating phase offsets between each symbolrelative to an anchor symbol in the reference symbols of the singlereference block resulting from clock changes within the mobile device,wherein the anchor symbol is a symbol in the single reference block; andmeans for generating positioning measurements using the phase offsets inthe reference symbols in the single reference block for estimating theposition of the mobile device.
 28. The entity of claim 27, wherein thereference symbols comprise phase tracking reference signals.
 29. Theentity of claim 27, wherein the means for generating the positioningmeasurements using the phase offsets in the reference symbols comprises:means for correcting a phase offset between each symbol relative to theanchor symbol in the reference symbols based on the phase offsets in thereference symbols; and wherein the means for generating the positioningmeasurements uses corrected reference symbols for estimating theposition of the mobile device.
 30. The entity of claim 27, wherein thereference symbols are transmitted within a frame structure forpositioning reference signals.
 31. The entity of claim 27, furthercomprising means for receiving positioning reference signals with thereference symbols, the positioning reference signals comprising aplurality of symbols where each symbol is comprised of a plurality ofsub-carriers.
 32. The entity of claim 31, wherein the means forgenerating the positioning measurements using the phase offsets in thereference symbols comprises: means for correcting a phase offset betweeneach symbol in the positioning reference signals based on the phaseoffsets in the reference symbols; and wherein the means for generatingthe positioning measurements uses corrected positioning referencesignals for estimating the position of the mobile device.
 33. The entityof claim 27, further comprising means for requesting that the referencesymbols are transmitted for positioning.
 34. The entity of claim 33,further comprising: means for receiving positioning reference signalswithout reference symbols from the one or more second entities in thewireless network; means for determining a presence of phase noise in thereceived positioning reference signals without reference symbols;wherein requesting that the reference symbols are transmitted forpositioning is in response to the presence of the phase noise.
 35. Theentity of claim 27, wherein the means for estimating phase offsetscomprises: means for determining a phase of each symbol in the referencesymbols; means for determining a phase offset between each symbolrelative to the anchor symbol in the reference symbols based on thephase of the each symbol in the reference symbols.
 36. The entity ofclaim 27, wherein the entity is the mobile device, and the one or moresecond entities are one or more base stations.
 37. The entity of claim36, further comprising means for estimating the position of the mobiledevice using the positioning measurements.
 38. The entity of claim 27,further comprising means for sending the positioning measurements to alocation server for estimating the position of the mobile device. 39.The entity of claim 27, wherein the entity is a base station, and theone or more second entities is the mobile device.
 40. A non-transitorycomputer readable storage medium including program code stored thereon,the program code is operable to configure at least one processor in anentity for supporting estimating a position of a mobile device,comprising: program code to receive a reference signal comprisingreference symbols in a single reference block transmitted by one or moresecond entities in a wireless network; program code to estimate phaseoffsets between each symbol relative to an anchor symbol in thereference symbols of the single reference block resulting from clockchanges within the mobile device, wherein the anchor symbol is a symbolin the single reference block; and program code to generate positioningmeasurements using the phase offsets in the reference symbols in thesingle reference block for estimating the position of the mobile device.